300,000 +

UNSOLVED HOMICIDES IN THE UNITED STATES

1.3 million +

Unmatched DNA crime scene profiles in the CODIS national law enforcement database

14,000 +

Unidentified human remains in the United States

$5k-$50k

Average cost of forensic testing per case

Why cases go cold

Every cold case is someone's story waiting for answers.

The technology exists that may find the answers, but law enforcement often lacks the financial resources to access the tools.

Active cases take priority over older investigations.

Budget constraints force departments to focus their resources on current cases and staffing demands.

OUR MISSION

The National Cold Case Center is a non-profit agency established to help law enforcement agencies access the resources they need to effectively work their cold case investigations.

The goal of the Center is to advance cold case investigations through forensic innovation and national coordination — because a lack of resources should never be the reason a case goes unsolved.

ADVANCING COLD CASE INVESTIGATIONS

Rapidly advancing DNA technology has rewritten what's possible.

Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) is regularly used to solve decades-old cases, identify unknown human remains, and exonerate the innocent.

Artificial Intelligence can now be used to quickly connect cases across state lines.

NC³ exists to put these tools in the hands of every agency that needs them.