In this publication, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) of the Office of Justice Programs provides a fact sheet about the prosecution of cold cases using DNA.
This fact sheet by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) of the Office of Justice Programs provides a program summary about the prosecution of cold cases using DNA, including a program summary, program objectives, a list of program accomplishments, and program requirements. Designed to aid prosecutors, the Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA Program provides funding to support agencies in the resolution of violent cold case crimes. Program objectives include prosecution of cold cases involving violent crime where suspects have been identified through DNA evidence and a decrease in the number of unresolved violent cold case crimes awaiting prosecution. Program accomplishments include uploading of multiple suspect profiles uploaded to Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS/AFIS); identification of 78 suspects who were initially unknown; 19 cases resulting in convictions; 30 suspects identified via forensic genetic genealogy work; 46 cases charged and/or indicted; 78 cold cases resolved/closed. Program requirements: a prosecutorial body must be a fully engaged project partner; suspects’ DNA profiles have already been generated (can be known or unknown suspects); utilization of Forensic Genetic Genealogy must follow the “DOJ Interim Policy Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Searching.”