FAQ About Cold Cases and Breakthroughs

Yes, many law enforcement agencies have established cold case units or specialized teams dedicated to solving unsolved cases. These units focus specifically on reviewing and investigating cold cases, applying new techniques and technologies, and working to bring resolution to long-standing investigations. Here are a few examples of these specialized units:

• Cold Case Squads: Some police departments have dedicated squads or teams within their agency that are solely responsible for handling cold cases. These squads typically consist of experienced investigators who are specially trained in cold case investigations.
• State-Level Cold Case Units: In some jurisdictions, state law enforcement agencies have established cold case units to tackle unsolved cases that cross jurisdictional boundaries or involve complex investigations. These units collaborate with local agencies and provide specialized resources and expertise.
• Regional Cold Case Task Forces: Cold case task forces are multi-agency collaborations that bring together investigators from different jurisdictions to work collectively on cold cases. These task forces pool their resources, expertise, and knowledge to solve cases that have remained unsolved for years.
• Federal Cold Case Initiatives: Federal law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have initiatives and programs specifically dedicated to investigating cold cases. These agencies may focus on cases involving federal jurisdiction, interstate crimes, or cases with a significant impact on national security.
• Nonprofit Organizations and Advocacy Groups: In addition to law enforcement agencies, there are nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups that specialize in cold case investigations. These organizations often work in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, offering resources, expertise, and support to help solve cold cases.