Outcomes of DNA "Cold Hits": Social Science Research in Forensic Science

The grantee will conduct an exploratory research project that examines DNA cold hit evidence processing and the use of information generated from these cold hits by police investigators and prosecutors. The study will take place in three jurisdictions: San Francisco, Kansas City, and Phoenix. Case processing in each of the sites will be documented with administrative data from the point of evidence submission to forensic crime laboratories, through processing and CODIS submission, to use in investigations and adjudications. Interviews with local stakeholders, including lab personnel, police investigators, prosecutors and court officials will be conducted to understand how and why cold hit information is, or is not, being utilized in criminal cases. Outcome models will be calculated in order to best explain the use and outcomes of cold hits in each of the three sites. ca/ncf