Investigations: The Science Behind Solving Crimes From the Past

A cold case investigation refers to a criminal case that has remained unsolved for a prolonged period. Law enforcement officers say that after two years, a case is declared cold. It is said that with the many advances in technology, the ability to solve these types of cases has been greatly increased. Some excellent examples of cold case investigations becoming successful are Ted Bundy, the Zodiac Killer, and the Golden State Killer.

In an investigation like this, different departments come into play. The primary investigators are the police. They are known for their tenacity, unbiased approach, and promptness. Next is the forensic analysis department – this team scrutinizes physical evidence such as DNA or fingerprints. Their analysis must be pristine to ensure its admissibility in court. Then, there is the victim section – they help identify potential motive and thus suspects. Lastly, the legal division – this team builds up the admissible evidence for a future court hearing.

When it comes to solving cold cases, the biggest challenge is that the case is dated – potentially decades old. Thus the evidence that would have been present then might be missing or destroyed. However, with the advent of new technologies and superb forensic science, the scene of the crime can be rebuilt in the nature of the evidence remaining. Advanced imaging technologies can work to recreate the scene, including examination of old surveillance videos or CCTV footage.

Another essential factor when solving cold cases is the availability of modern DNA testing tools. These have significantly impacted the investigation of cold cases. Investigators can test for semen or saliva left behind at the crime scene, as long as the samples collected have been preserved. DNA testing has helped solve cases as old as 50 years. With this technology, the police have been able to identify serial killers and rapists, who had been under their radar for several years.

The timely availability of witnesses is a significant factor for investigators. People come forward, and memories fade. Some potential informants may have moved or passed away. It is vital to re-interview potential witnesses like family members, neighbors, and work colleagues, looking for discrepancies or similarities in their original statements. Getting fresh testimonies from relatives or medical examiners is also important, as they might have invaluable information that was never heard by the police.

As investigators and detectives reopen cold cases, they should look at the hard evidence and anything that might become helpful in the future. Familiarizing oneself with the preliminary reports and revisiting the site of the crime can reveal new details. In recent years, several investigators reported new developments through their re-examination of cold cases. Certain pieces of evidence initially missed by the police in the 80s and 90s were eventually deciphered upon recollection.

It’s important to note during re-investigations of cold cases that mistakes can be made, sometimes detrimental to the investigation. However, these uncertainties can sometimes lead investigators into the right direction towards finding new evidence levels that keep the investigation alive. For instance, they can re-interview previously ignored suspects, often revealing new information or faulty alibis, making it easier to narrow down the offender, or lack of real suspect.

In conclusion, cold cases may be difficult to crack, but they are not entirely impossible. With the evolution of science, it’s now easier for cold case detectives to solve cases that would have been impossible to crack a few years ago. These investigations remind us that crimes cannot be committed in secret and that no case, no matter how old or forgotten, is ever too cold to solve. Agencies worldwide have turned their sights to cold cases, knowing the implications of a criminal left loose in society. In essence, reexamining cold cases could prevent further wrongdoing and bring closure to victim’s family members; all of this is reliant on the persistence of dedicated investigators and the use of new scientific technologies.

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