This homicide story is dated October 5, 2009:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7049939
I have heard several complaints about inadequate police response to crimes, i.e. the police do not seem to make much effort in capturing the perpetrators. Apparently, from this story, DNA testing is not used in some homicide cases, even when there is a suspect. If the victim's loved ones want to pay for DNA testing to catch someone, they have to pay about $2,600 for DNA testing??--maybe I'm misunderstanding.
Anyways, expats should think about what to do if they are the victims of crime. Maybe using a private investigator would be effective.