Report Examines Cold Case Investigative Practices and Outcomes

• NCJ Number: 242254
• Date Published: May 2012
• Length: 2 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-MU-MU-K020
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Corporate Author: National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Overview Text
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from TechBeat, Spring 2012

Annotation

This study assesses current practices in cold-case investigations to determine which are most effective, while identifying the type of cases most likely to be solved.

Abstract

Results identified three distinct types of cold-case investigations, each with different processes, benefits and costs. In the classic cold-case investigation, the detective reopens a case due to family or media inquiries or a procedure review of cases unsolved for a specified length of time. These cases are likely to be the most expensive and least successful. The second case type, which is based on availability of forensic tests due to advances in DNA technology, is relatively inexpensive, and federal funds are available for DNA testing. According to this report, the rate of success from indiscriminate DNA testing of large numbers of cases is likely below 50 percent. The third type of case, those opened due to a confession or a plea deal, is the most inexpensive and successful. This information can be used to guide agencies on resource allocation, agency organization and case prioritization for optimizing clearance rates.