AUGUSTA — Lithgow Public Library will explore the investigation and prosecution of unsolved murders in Maine with a program titled “Anatomy of a Cold Case,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Featured speakers will be Augusta Mayor William Stokes, who is deputy attorney general and chief of the Criminal Division; Lara Nomani, assistant attorney general and cold case prosecutor; and Sgt. Jason Richards of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit.

There are approximately 20-25 homicides, on average, each year in Maine. Although the clearance rate for these murders is 90 percent, some remain unsolved. At the Lithgow presentation, guest experts will explore how cold cases continue to be investigated, solved and  prosecuted in the state.

“With the popularity of crime novels and television crime dramas, the public continues to be fascinated with the investigation of criminal cases,” said Lithgow Library Director Elizabeth Pohl. “I think it is important for people to understand the reality of criminal investigations and prosecutions, not the made-for-TV version. ‘Anatomy of a Cold Case’ will provide an opportunity to hear how evolving forensic science and the tenacity of investigators can result in the successful prosecution of murderers, sometimes years or decades after the crime.”

The program is free and open to the public, and will take place in the library’s Reading Room. There will be an opportunity for questions following the presentation.

Lithgow Library is located at 45 Winthrop St. For more information, call 626-2415 or visit the library’s web site at www.lithgow.lib.me.us.