Solving Cold Cases with DNA

The purpose of these funds will be used to form a multi-disciplinary cold case squad to investigate cold cases, primarily homicides, across Harris County, Texas. The law enforcement agencies participating in this joint application are the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the Pasadena Police Department, the Baytown Police Department, the Humble Police Department, the Tomball Police Department, the Webster Police Department, and the Friendswood Police Department. Cases will be identified, prioritized and investigated according to the following protocols: they will involve offenses such as sexual assault and murder where DNA evidence is typically found and would be expected to have probative value for the investigation and resolution of the crime. Funding for DNA tests, either in-house or outsourced to qualified laboratories will be provided for the cases submitted by the task force. Expected results include an increase in the number of cold cases analyzed for DNA evidence and closed.

ca/ncf