Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science

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When investigators no longer have new leads on a case, the investigation is said to have gone “cold.” Often such cases can benefit from the review of the case files and evidence with a new perspective. This is the goal of the Cold Case Center. Officers submit case information to the Institute for review. They also receive training in cold case review and forensic and investigative advances. In addition, the case files and physical evidence are examined with a forensic eye by a panel consisting of fellows of the Institute and forensic science students. While some cases remain unsolved, investigators have consistently reported initiating a new path of investigation based on information learned from these reviews by the Institute.

More than 25 cases have been solved, either directly or indirectly, as a result of case reviews and training at the cold case center. All officers who attended the training found the processes and methods discussed in the class to be most helpful to their investigations by providing new insight into the recognition and analysis of evidence. Others found the interaction with instructors and other members of the classes also beneficial.

Solving cold cases through the application of modern investigative techniques and forensic technology helps to achieve justice for the victims and their families while ensuring that those who are innocent are not wrongly convicted. Dr. Lee and fellows of the Institute have been involved in the investigation of numerous cold cases and the re-examination of renowned cases that have raised forensic questions such as the shooting of Martin Luther King, John and Robert Kennedy’s assassinations, the mass graves in Bosnia, and many others