FAQ About Cold Cases and Breakthroughs

DNA evidence plays a crucial role in solving cold cases by providing a powerful tool for identification, linking suspects to crimes, and exonerating wrongly convicted individuals. Here are some specific ways DNA evidence contributes to the resolution of cold cases:

• Identifying suspects: DNA evidence can be collected from crime scenes, victims, or objects associated with the crime. By comparing this evidence to DNA profiles in databases or against potential suspects, investigators can identify individuals who may have been involved in the crime.
• Connecting cases: DNA profiles obtained from cold cases can be compared to profiles from other unsolved cases or known offenders, potentially revealing links between different crimes and identifying serial offenders who may have operated across multiple jurisdictions.
• Exonerating the innocent: In some cold cases, DNA analysis can be used to prove the innocence of individuals who were wrongfully convicted. By reevaluating DNA evidence or conducting new testing, innocent individuals can be exonerated, highlighting the importance of DNA evidence in correcting miscarriages of justice.
• Familial searching: When a direct match to a suspect's DNA is not found in databases, familial searching techniques can be employed. By searching for partial matches or similarities to known relatives in DNA databases, investigators can generate leads and potentially identify close relatives who may be linked to the crime.
• Cold case database comparisons: The existence of DNA databases allows investigators to compare DNA profiles from old evidence to profiles collected from convicted offenders, arrestees, or unidentified remains. This comparison can help generate new leads and potentially identify perpetrators.
• Revisiting old evidence: Advances in DNA testing techniques and technologies may enable reexamination of previously inconclusive or degraded DNA samples, potentially yielding new information and leads that were not available during the original investigation.
• Victim identification: DNA evidence can aid in identifying unidentified human remains in cold cases, helping bring closure to families who have been searching for answers for years.