Det.Downs: @AETelevision Hi everyone, this is Det. Downs from LMPD. Thanks for watching The First 48. I’ll be answering your questions during the show.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv Thanks for joining us, Det. Downs. First question for you, what skills do you think are necessary to be a good detective?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision Good communication and organizational skills are a must. Persistence is key too.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv How do you improve your investigation skills? Do you learn on the job or do you get other specialized training/schooling?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision Both. I learn the most from watching the other detectives but there's nothing like just doing it myself and learning from my mistakes.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv When working on this case, did you feel being a woman helped you communicate more easily w/the victim’s ex-girlfriend?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision I didn't think about it at the time…

Det.Downs: @AETelevision I was just trying to figure out how to motivate her to do the right thing and tell us what happened.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv Is it frustrating when you knock on so many doors and people say “I didn’t see anything or I don’t want to get involved”?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision Extremely. You just want to ask them if their answer would be the same if it was their loved one's death we were investigating

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv If you weren’t a homicide detective what would you do instead?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision Honestly, answer the radio. I loved riding the beat when I started. Nowhere else can you see the variety.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv It seems like it would be easy to jump to conclusions in some cases you investigate. How do you keep an open mind?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision You have to remind yourself to look at a case from different angles. It can be hard not to get tunnel vision.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv THE FIRST 48 is hugely popular, why do you think people gravitate to this type of programming?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision People are fascinating and will always surprise you...

Det.Downs: @AETelevision People like watching other people's drama. It puts their problems into perspective.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv Was there any point in the case when you thought of the ex-girlfriend as a potential suspect as opposed to a witness?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision Sure. I didn't know how much her involvement was and if the murder was pre-planned.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv You used the “soft approach” when questioning the witness. Do you find this method to be more successful than other methods?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision For me, coming off "softer" works better…

Det.Downs: @AETelevision Reality is I'm not a big person and upon first impressions alone not going to be as intimidating.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv Is there any case that was really memorable or had a serious impact on you?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision I have one case that is unsolved.

Det.Downs: @AETelevision I'm hoping that will change but it's hard to keep telling the victim's family we aren't any further along.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv Do you think you would have obtained answers from the witness if you didn’t call her mother?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision I think so, just would've taken a lot longer.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv How does it feel to be a woman in a male dominated field?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision It can be frustrating but every individual comes with different perspectives…

Det.Downs: @AETelevision so we have to take a deep breath and learn from one another.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv What do you think of shows like “CSI: Miami,” where detectives quickly solve cases with DNA evidence?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision I don't even watch them, too "Hollywood".

Det.Downs: @AETelevision It is harder in court because juries expect that level of scientific evidence, which is rare.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv How do you handle your job, now that you have recognition from the show?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision It hasn't changed too much, unless I'm working with Detective Brown. We can't go anywhere without someone recognizing him.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv What did it feel like to talk to a suspect for the first time?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision I was definitely nervous…

Det.Downs: @AETelevision I felt pressure to get a confession for the victim's family more than anything else, for their closure.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv How did you feel when you got Fred Davis to confess to murder?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision It felt great. Other detectives thought he would lawyer up so getting a confession was not expected.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv What was it like to tell the family you had made an arrest?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision It felt good. Nothing will bring James back to them but seeing how much the arrest meant to them made the work 100% worth it.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv Do you learn something new from every case? If so, what did you take away from this one?

Det.Downs: @AETelevision Yes. I learn new things about people, including myself.

Det.Downs: @AETelevision In this case, the arrest wasn’t as gratifying as expected. Everyone loses in this.

AETelevision: @thefirst48tv Thanks, Det. Downs for dropping by and answering questions for us!

Det.Downs: @AETelevision Have a great evening everyone and thanks again for watching The First 48.