Episode Details

What does it actually take to find the truth when almost nothing is known?

In this episode of Thought Atlas, I sit down with Justin Bocock, a retired homicide detective whose career in law enforcement took him from the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division to the Mesa Police Department, where he worked as a patrol officer, field training officer, detective, and homicide detective.

Justin spent years investigating violent crimes, suspicious deaths, cold cases, and homicides. He was also recognized for introducing drone technology into crime scene investigations.

We begin by separating the reality of detective work from the version we see in movies and television. Justin explains how much of an investigation actually involves reports, surveillance footage, search warrants, conversations with judges, and other administrative work.

He takes us inside the mindset required at a crime scene, explaining why investigators must resist the temptation to decide what happened before the evidence has been examined. His philosophy is simple: “You don’t know what you don’t know.”

We discuss how detectives deal with uncertainty, why experience matters when determining what might be evidence, and how investigators learn from both their successes and their failures.

Justin also explains how technology has changed investigative work. He shares how he helped introduce drones into outdoor crime scene documentation and describes the use of LiDAR and mapping software to create digital representations of crime scenes. We also discuss the growing role he sees for phones, computers, drones, and AI in the future of detective work.

The conversation then moves beyond investigations. Justin reflects on how spending years witnessing both the worst and the best of humanity changed the way he sees people. He shares examples of extraordinary acts of selflessness and explains why he believes we should remember that every person is shaped by their own experiences and that our interactions can leave an impression on others.

We also discuss his book, On Call, and why he wanted to give readers the perspective of the detective actually working a homicide case rather than focusing only on the sensational aspects of true crime.

Finally, Justin shares the lesson he carries from his career into everyday life: check your biases, keep an open mind, and let the evidence determine what is true.

CONNECT WITH JUSTIN BOCOCK

Website: https://www.justinbocock.com

Justin says his website includes information about his book, a way to contact him, and his blog, where he shares his opinions and thoughts on investigations and topics appearing in the media.

Learn more about Thought Atlas:https://joinpodmatch.com/thoughtatlas

Food for thought from Justin:

“Follow the evidence. Don’t just believe what you’re told. Follow the evidence. Do the research yourself. Be your own detective.”