U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 National Best Practices for Implementing and Sustaining a Cold Case Investigation Unit
NCJ Number
              252016

Author(s)
          Hannah  Barcus;
                        Charles  Heurich;
                        Nancy  Ritter;
                        Dawn Elizabeth  Schwarting;
                        Rachel  Walton
Date Published

July 2019
Length
              158 pages
Annotation
              The U.S. Justice Department's National Institute of Justice (NIJ) assembled and collaborated with the Cold Case Investigation Working Group (CCIWG) in developing this guide to assist law enforcement agencies in creating a mechanism for addressing the cold cases in their jurisdictions.
Abstract
              The CCIWG, which was created in 2015, was composed of subject-matter experts from the cold-case-investigation community, The assigned mission was to review the state of cold-case investigations and cold-case units in the United States. An introductory statement advises that the recommendations presented in this guide are not mandated by any governing body; they are recommended best practices based on research, well-established processes, and the professional experience of CCIWG members. The CCIWG considered issues that ranged from planning, administrative, organizational, and policy considerations to specific strategies for identifying and addressing unresolved cases in agencies both large and small. Group members achieved substantial agreement on a variety of issues involved in cold cases. The 23 recommendations presented in this guide are grouped under the broad categories of 1) determining the needs and scope of a cold-case-investigation unit; 2) designing a cold-case unit; 3) implementing a cold-case unit; 4) operating a cold-case unit; and 5) identifying support for a cold-case unit. 4 figures, 2 tables, 185 references, a list of annotated resources, and appended sample forms and procedures
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Technical Assistance)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)
                                Reference Material
                                Instructional Material (Programmed)
    
  
  
Date Published: July 1, 2019
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Best practices
        Case Management
        Forensic sciences
        Investigations
        Investigative techniques



  
Similar Publications
        
                      A New Tool for Probabilistic Assessment of MPS Data Associated with mtDNA Mixtures
                  Near-infrared Excitation Raman Analysis of Underlying Colorants on Redyed Fabric
                  Understanding Work-Related Stress among Medicolegal Death Investigators: A National Survey and Mixed-Methods Impact Study
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov