Miami-Dade Police Department Solving Cold Cases with DNA

The principal goal of this project is to solve sexual crimes and homicide cold cases using a program implementation strategy of: case review; location of evidence; and DNA analysis of biological evidence. Project objectives are: 1) Review 595 cold case sexual crimes and 55 homicide cold cases to determine which cases contain potential biological material and could be solved using DNA analysis; 2) identify/evaluate cold cases with the CL for possible biological material; 3) Submit evidence from identified cases to the CL for DNA analysis and enter eligible DNA profiles into CODIS; 4) Improve investigative case record management; 5) Utilize the MDPD CL case tracking system for DNA analysis results, track CODIS entries, list CODIS matches and dispositions; 6) Conduct follow-up investigations on cold cases identified; 7) Submit qualifying cases for prosecution; 8) Provide assistance to other agencies as suspects are identified via CODIS; 9) Upload homicide cold cases to MDPD webpage for tips; 10) Access NamUS routinely for cold cases having unidentified victims.
ca/ncf