Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program
ABOUT COLD
The Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program provides funding to prosecute violent cold case crimes and to decrease the number of violent cold case crimes awaiting prosecution. This program funds the prosecution of cases where a suspect’s DNA has been identified (suspect may be known or unknown) and provides resources for state and local prosecuting agencies to increase their capacity in addressing violent cold case crimes. Provided that DNA from a suspect has been identified, funds may be used to support investigative activities as well as forensic analyses in cases where performing these could lead to prosecution.
To learn more about the COLD Program and potential funding opportunities, please visit Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA (COLD) Program.
With homicide rates increasing and clearance rates decreasing, unsolved violent cold cases are on the rise³. From 1980 to 2016, there are an estimated 242,000 unsolved homicides. Additionally, the clearance rate for violent crimes has declined from 78.3% in 1975 to 59.4% in 2016. This data demonstrates a clear need for the justice community to address the gaps in solving violent cold cases. Through funding prosecutorial efforts, the Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA program aims to provide justice for the victims and their families and friends, as well as prevent future backlogs of unsolved violent cold cases.
[3] Based on Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Part 1 data.
Key Performance Metrics
Since 2019, COLD Program funds were used to:
- Upload multiple suspect profiles to Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS/AFIS)
- Identify 78 suspects who were initially unknown
- Prosecute 19 cases that have resulted in convictions
- Identify 30 suspects via Forensic Genetic Genealogy work
- Charge or indict 46 cases
- Resolve 78 cold cases
GRANTEES
This map is representative of all COLD Program awards made since 2020.
If you are interested in viewing more award data, please visit the OJP Award Data webpage.
| GRANTEE NAME | STATE | FISCAL YEAR(S) |
|---|---|---|
| MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | AZ | 2021 & 2022 |
| CITY OF LOS ANGELES | CA | 2022 |
| CONTRA COSTA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA | 2020 |
| COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA | 2021 |
| COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO | CA | 2020 & 2023 |
| COUNTY OF STANISLAUS | CA | 2022 |
| MONTEREY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA | 2021 |
| SACRAMENTO DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA | 2021, 2022, & 2023 |
| SANTA CLARA DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | CA | 2021 |
| CITY & COUNTY OF DENVER | CO | 2023 |
| COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | CO | 2023 |
| DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT | CO | 2020 |
| DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION | CT | 2023 |
| STATE OF CONNECTICUT JUDICIAL BRANCH | CT | 2020 |
| CITY OF LAUDERHILL | FL | 2023 |
| CITY OF TAMPA | FL | 2023 |
| COUNTY OF HILLSBOROUGH | FL | 2021 |
| COUNTY OF PALM BEACH | FL | 2020 & 2022 |
| INDIAN RIVER COUNTY | FL | 2023 |
| STATE ATTORNEY OFFICE 4TH DISTRICT | FL | 2020 |
| COUNTY OF COBB | GA | 2021 |
| COUNTY OF DEKALB | GA | 2023 |
| COUNTY OF FULTON | GA | 2021 |
| COUNTY OF COOK | IL | 2022 |
| CITY OF FORT WAYNE | IN | 2022 |
| CITY OF BOSTON | MA | 2023 |
| PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | MD | 2020 |
| CHARTER COUNTY OF WAYNE | MI | 2020 |
| DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE MICHIGAN | MI | 2023 |
| NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY | NC | 2021 |
| CITY OF OMAHA | NE | 2022 |
| COUNTY OF UNION | NJ | 2022 |
| CITY OF NEW YORK | NY | 2022 |
| CITY OF NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT | NY | 2023 |
| COUNTY OF NASSAU | NY | 2022 |
| COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER | NY | 2022 |
| OFFICE OF THE QUEENS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY | NY | 2021 |
| CITY OF DAYTON | OH | 2022 |
| CUYAHOGA COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE | OH | 2021 & 2022 |
| CITY OF TULSA | OK | 2023 |
| COUNTY OF WASHINGTON | OR | 2020 & 2023 |
| PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON CRIME AND DELIQUENCY | PA | 2021 |
| TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION | TN | 2020 |
| ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS | TX | 2023 |
| HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT | TX | 2021 & 2022 |
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