NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation (NOPJF) is proud to welcome the International Homicide Investigators Association (IHIA) to New Orleans for its 32nd Annual Training Symposium, taking place August 9–13, 2026. The symposium, presented in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, brings together homicide investigators, prosecutors, crime analysts, crime scene specialists, medical examiners, coroners, and other law enforcement professionals from across the United States and around the world to share best practices, emerging investigative techniques, and the latest forensic technologies in homicide and violent crime investigations. The conference has reached capacity, reflecting the importance of this premier annual training event.
As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening public safety in New Orleans, the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation is sponsoring attendance for the entire New Orleans Police Department Homicide Unit, along with members of the NOPD Cold Case Unit, whose work the Foundation also actively supports. Investing in the professional development of these investigators ensures they continue to bring the latest investigative strategies, forensic advancements, and collaborative partnerships back to New Orleans.
“Our mission is to provide the New Orleans Police Department with the tools, training, and technology necessary to keep our community safe,” said Melanie Talia, CEO at the NOPJF. “Hosting the world’s leading homicide investigators in New Orleans provides an extraordinary opportunity for our detectives to learn from the very best while showcasing the tremendous progress our city has made in reducing violent crime.”
The symposium comes at a pivotal time for New Orleans. The city is on pace to achieve its lowest homicide total in almost 60 years, while the NOPD Homicide Unit has achieved a homicide clearance rate of 105% by solving current-year homicides and closing cases from previous years. These remarkable results reflect the dedication of investigators, prosecutors, forensic specialists, and community partners working together to deliver justice for victims and their families.
The New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation has been a key partner in these successes through strategic investments that enhance the capabilities of NOPD investigators. Among the Foundation’s most significant contributions has been its support of the NOPD Digital Forensics Unit, providing critical investigative hardware and technology that allows detectives to rapidly process digital evidence from mobile devices, computers, surveillance systems, and other electronic sources. These capabilities have become indispensable in modern homicide investigations and are instrumental in solving cases and securing convictions in nearly every homicide case investigated by NOPD, while also supporting investigations into more than 2,000 felony cases annually.
Beyond digital forensics, the Foundation has led and funded numerous public safety initiatives designed to modernize policing and improve investigative outcomes. These investments include advanced investigative technology, specialized equipment, officer wellness initiatives, training opportunities, crime reduction strategies, and innovative partnerships that strengthen the New Orleans Police Department’s ability to protect residents and visitors alike. By combining private philanthropic support with public law enforcement efforts, the Foundation helps ensure NOPD has resources beyond traditional municipal funding to meet the evolving challenges of modern policing.
The International Homicide Investigators Association, founded in 1988, is the world’s largest professional organization dedicated to homicide and death investigations. Its mission is to provide investigators with leadership, education, networking opportunities, and professional resources that improve homicide investigations and increase justice for victims worldwide.
“The Foundation is honored to support the detectives who work tirelessly on behalf of victims and their families every day,” added Matthew Stone, Communications Director at NOPJF. “We are equally proud to welcome our colleagues from across the nation and around the world to New Orleans. Their shared expertise, collaboration, and commitment to justice will strengthen homicide investigations not only here in New Orleans but in communities everywhere.”
For more information about the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation, visit the Foundation’s website at NOPJF.org or consider joining the annual Stake Out for Justice on October 14, 2026. Information about the International Homicide Investigators Association and the 2026 Annual Training Symposium is available at IHIA.org with daily updates posted to their Instagram account.
