Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program
ABOUT COLD
The Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program provides funding to prosecute violent crime cold cases and to decrease the number of violent crime cold cases awaiting prosecution. This program funds the prosecution of cases where a suspect’s DNA has been identified (suspect may be known or unknown) and provides resources for state and local prosecuting agencies to increase their capacity in addressing violent crime cold cases. Provided that DNA from a suspect has been identified, funds may be used to support investigative activities as well as forensic analyses in cases where performing these could lead to prosecution.
To learn more about the COLD Program and potential funding opportunities, please visit Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program.
With homicide rates increasing and clearance rates decreasing, unsolved violent cold cases are on the rise³. From 1980 to 2016, there are an estimated 242,000 unsolved homicides. Additionally, the clearance rate for violent crimes has declined from 78.3% in 1975 to 59.4% in 2016. This data demonstrates a clear need for the justice community to address the gaps in solving violent cold cases. Through funding prosecutorial efforts, the Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA program aims to provide justice for the victims and their families and friends, as well as prevent future backlogs of unsolved violent cold cases.
[3] Based on Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Part 1 data.
Key Performance Metrics
Since 2019, COLD Program funds were used to:
- Upload multiple suspect profiles to CODIS, IAFIS/AFIS
- Identify 35 suspects who were initially unknown
- Prosecute 5 cases that have resulted in convictions
- Identify 16 suspects via Forensic Genetic Genealogy work
- Charge or indict 20 cases
- Resolve 19 cold cases
GRANTEES
| GRANTEE NAME | STATE |
|---|---|
| MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | AZ |
| CITY OF LOS ANGELES SOUTH BUREAU HOMICIDE DETECTIVES | CA |
| CONTRA COSTA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA |
| MONTEREY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA |
| COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA |
| SACRAMENTO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA |
| COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO | CA |
| SANTA CLARA DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA |
| COUNTY OF STANISLAUS DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA |
| CITY & COUNTY OF DENVER | CO |
| JUDICIAL BRANCH, STATE OF CONNECTICUT | CT |
| STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT | FL |
| HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE | FL |
| PALM BEACH SHERIFF’S OFFICE | FL |
| COBB COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS / DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | GA |
| FULTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT – OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY | GA |
| COOK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | IL |
| CITY OF FORT WAYNE | IN |
| COUNTY OF PRINCE GEORGE’S | MD |
| CHARTER COUNTY OF WAYNE | MI |
| CITY OF OMAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT | NE |
| COUNTY OF UNION PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE | NJ |
| QUEENS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | NY |
| BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | NY |
| COUNTY OF NASSAU | NY |
| COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER | NY |
| NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | NC |
| CITY OF DAYTON POLICE DEPARTMENT | OH |
| CUYAHOGA COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE | OH |
| COUNTY OF WASHINGTON | OR |
| PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY | PA |
| TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION | TN |
| HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT | TX |
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