Alberta RCMP homicide investigators worked overtime in 2015 after a spike in homicides that occurred throughout its 112 RCMP detachment jurisdictions last year.

In 2015, investigators responded to 65 homicide cases compared to 36 in 2014.

The average homicide rate between 2005 and 2015 was 40 per year, so 2015 was considerably higher than average.

"Homicide cases take real commitment on the part of employees involved," said Chief Superintendent Gary Steinke, Officer-in-Charge of the Alberta RCMP Serious Crime Branch. "Last year, that saw them working longer hours - often away from home - under the saddest of circumstances - just to keep up."

"Sheer determination to see justice done for the victims was what kept folks going, and this is reflected in the high solve rate they achieved."

By the end of 2015, the RCMP had concluded 45 of its 65 homicide cases while investigations are still ongoing in the 20 remaining cases.

The RCMP has not identified any factors to indicate that the upward trend will continue into 2016 but so far this year the RCMP has responded to 6 homicides across Alberta.

Ryan King - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com