No stone unturned: The Cold Case Foundation is dedicated to helping crack unsolved crimes

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Did you know that more than a third of murders in the United States go unsolved- without justice for victims, their families, and communities wounded by violent crime?

According to Federal Bureau of Investigation data, only 64 percent of homicides are solved nationwide- leaving 36 percent uncleared, or what law enforcement and prosecutors refer to as "Cold Cases." But it doesn't have to be this way.

The Cold Case Foundation provides resources and investigative services to the victims of violent crime, their families, and law enforcement agencies, seeking to fill a gap where authorities are unable to provide conclusive justice. The Utah-based 501(c)(3) organization focuses on homicides, missing persons cases, unidentified bodies, and cases of rape and sexual assault with serial characteristics.

Some of the resources the foundation provides to the public include training, networking, consulting, funding and victim support, and it aims to work hand in hand with law enforcement agencies often lacking the public-sector resources to fully investigate serious crimes long considered cold cases. The Cold Case Foundation's services have often been provided to small and medium-sized police departments- with the organization acting hand in hand as a partner to local agencies.

"It is not for lack of interest that cases turn cold and are sometimes seemingly forgotten; they are never forgotten by the victims, their families, or by the investigators who have worked them," the organization says of the dilemna of unsolved crime. We must ensure that a Cold Case is never at the mercy of insufficient funding or otherwise available resources.  Law Enforcement’s need to resolve Cold Cases is ever present, but the resources and budget to solve these violent crimes are not."

Victims of crimes, their family members, and members of law enforcement agencies are invited to submit applications for the Cold Case Foundation's services- the organization never charges these members of the community for its services. Some priorities the Cold Case Foundation is currently fundraising for include extensive forensic analysis of a number of outstanding cold cases currently under investigation.

The foundation includes more than 150 team members- with personnel ranging from homicide detectives and FBI profilers to forensic experts, victims advocates, and search and recovery animal teams. Greg Cooper, the organization's founder, is a retired Chief of Police and FBI Criminal Behavioral Profiler.

The organization is currently focused on more than 300 cold cases. Its services were cited by the Chief of Police of the Chula Vista, California police department after helping to secure the arrest of a suspect in the murder of Maya Millete.

According to Marketing Director AJ Jackson, "The Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit is offering tuition-free training courses taught by Cold Case Foundation team members and hosted by Tribal Agencies across the nation. These courses are open to criminal investigators, forensic experts, fire marshals, arson investigators, and prosecutors.

"Featuring an elite group of instructors known for their expertise and innovative teaching methods, these highly sought-after programs consistently receive praise for addressing the challenges in law enforcement, forensic science, fire/arson investigations, and prosecution. Space is limited so be sure to reserve your spot today!" 

Learn more about the Cold Case Foundation here.
 
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Cindy

Are you using geneology techniques to help in solving cases?

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