Essay Undergraduate 1,137 words

Using DNA Evidence to Solve Cold Cases in the US

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Abstract

This paper examines how advances in DNA technology are enabling law enforcement agencies to revisit cold cases that had previously reached investigative dead ends. Drawing on sources from the National Institute of Justice and the U.S. Department of Justice, it discusses the expanding role of DNA evidence in identifying both perpetrators and unknown victims. A compelling case study involving four unidentified homicide victims in New Hampshire illustrates how DNA testing can establish victim identity, generate new investigative leads, and deliver long-overdue justice. The paper also highlights federal efforts to fund and expand cold case DNA programs nationwide.

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What makes this paper effective

Uses a concrete, real-world case study — the New Hampshire four-victim homicide — to ground abstract claims about DNA technology in vivid, human terms.
Supports every major claim with direct quotations from authoritative institutional sources (NIJ, DOJ, CNN), lending credibility to the argument.
Maintains a clear logical progression: from the general problem of cold cases, to a specific illustrative example, to federal policy implications.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates effective use of institutional authority as evidence. Rather than relying solely on secondary commentary, the author quotes directly from government documents (U.S. Department of Justice solicitation, NIJ reports) to validate the claim that DNA is transforming cold case forensics. This technique aligns individual case evidence with systemic, policy-level confirmation.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a broad framing of the cold case problem, then narrows to the specific capabilities of DNA evidence. The New Hampshire case occupies the analytical core, illustrating both victim identification and perpetrator pursuit. The paper then widens again to federal policy, showing that the case example reflects a national trend. A brief conclusion synthesizes the argument, and a Works Cited section follows APA-adjacent formatting.

Introduction

Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies bear the responsibility of bringing justice to every case that comes before them. Especially in cases of homicide, finding resolution through the identification and prosecution of perpetrators is a top priority — and this remains true even when a considerable amount of time has elapsed since a crime occurred. When an investigation reaches an impasse, exhausts its leads, and ultimately finds itself without a trail to follow, it becomes a cold case. Cold cases typically find their way to the backburner as law enforcement agencies focus on crimes with more immediately available evidence. It is in this way that cases go "cold," leaving investigators with no apparent direction to turn for resolution.

However, with the emergence and continued refinement of DNA evidence, many cold cases are receiving a second look. Evidence drawn from a crime scene — most particularly human remains — may yield information leading to the identity of both the killer and, in cases where it is lacking, the victim. Historically, forensics experts faced distinct obstacles as a result of body decomposition, extensive distortion of physical appearance, and the absence of critical identifying features. But the ability to use atomic-level samples of biological matter to draw far-reaching swaths of information is altering the nature and potential of cold case forensics. Old cases are getting a new look through the lens of DNA.

DNA Evidence and Cold Case Investigations

Today, law enforcement agencies are making exciting new advances in their forensic capabilities due to the availability of DNA testing. According to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), "several law enforcement agencies, prosecutors' offices, and crime labs across the country have established innovative programs to review old cases. Often called 'cold case units,' these programs have enabled criminal justice officials to solve cases that have languished for years without suspects. Most frequently, DNA evidence has been the linchpin in solving these cases. For instance, this past July a California man was found guilty of the 1974 rape-homicide of a 19-year-old pregnant woman — a case that was solved through DNA evidence nearly 30 years after the crime was committed." (NIJ, p. 1)

This demonstrates that DNA evidence has already been used effectively to reach back into history for critical and overlooked information about both victim and assailant. This prospect represents a chance not only to right past wrongs but also to overturn wrongful convictions. Additionally, DNA evidence may serve as a critical new starting point for investigations that were ultimately fruitless in their initial stages.

2 Locked Sections · 485 words remaining

The New Hampshire Cold Case: Unidentified Victims · 310 words

"Four unidentified victims, DNA identification efforts"

Federal Support for DNA Cold Case Programs · 175 words

"DOJ grants and DNA technology advances"

Conclusion

In many ways, the continued advancement in our ability to gather and analyze DNA information offers the tantalizing prospect of clearing a great deal of unsolved crimes from the backlogs of the U.S. justice system.

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Key Concepts in This Paper

DNA Evidence Cold Cases Victim Identification Forensic Science Criminal Justice Homicide Investigation Missing Persons Law Enforcement Body Decomposition Federal Grants