There was also a need to address the growing accumulation of unidentified remains and missing persons cases. In 2019, NIJ initiated the Prosecuting Cold Cases using DNA and Other Forensic Technologies program. Thus, CODIS hits and closed cases resulting from NIJ-funded projects reported here are considered to be conservatively low. DNA results and uploads to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), for example, often happen after the project period. Most activities related to cold case investigations occur after the grantees no longer provide project progress reports. Note: Data are reported to NIJ only during the funded project period, and all 213 of the Solving Cold Cases with DNA awards are closed. Number of Cases With Trials, Arrests, Closed Number of Cases Where Biological Evidence Remained NIJ’s Solving Cold Cases With DNA Program Year See “The Costs and Benefits of Cold Cases” Exhibit 2. This resulted in the resolution of more than 2,000 cold cases (see exhibit 2). From 2005 to 2014, the Institute provided funding for law enforcement agencies to review cold cases and submit their evidence for DNA analyses through its Solving Cold Cases with DNA program. NIJ recognizes the value of analyzing evidence from older, unresolved cases. NIJ has a long history of supporting the scientific, technical, and capacity needs of the forensic community, particularly as the demand for forensic testing has grown.
#LOUISIANA SERIAL KILLER 2015 SERIAL#
(Recently, nonresearch support for cold case investigations was transferred to one of NIJ’s sister agencies, the Bureau of Justice Assistance.) In the process, NIJ-sponsored research has discovered a number of important connections between cold cases and those who repeatedly commit crimes, the most alarming of whom are serial killers. NIJ had several robust programs that have helped law enforcement agencies solve cold cases over the years. The study notes that quantifying the estimated number of victims is difficult, and generalizing and extrapolating data has created a wide range of estimates - but even the low end of the range is alarming. Meanwhile, estimates of the number of victims of serial killers, from a research study out of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, range from fewer than 200 to almost 2,000 each year. Another study suggests that up to 15% of homicides are the result of serial killers. Estimates vary, but one estimate of the number of serial killers in the United States who have never been prosecuted for their crimes was as high as 2,000. A serial murder is the unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same person(s) in separate events. As time passes, the likelihood of losing case file information, evidence, and witnesses increases.Īnother likely contributor to the country’s current cold case crisis is the number of serial killers operating in the United States. If there were easy solutions, resolution would have occurred at the time of the offense. Cold cases are also difficult investigations, sometimes because of a lack of evidence. Law enforcement agencies are stretched thin and often lack the personnel to adequately work cases as they happen. In part, limited resources have caused the crisis. Research for the Real World: NIJ Seminar SeriesĬases of Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter.Strategic Challenges and Research Agenda.