Practical Considerations

A broad range of considerations must be made long before any DNA testing is actually attempted in older, unsolved cases. These include:

  • Legal considerations, such as the application or expiration of statutes of limitation. 
  • Technological considerations, such as the nature and condition of the evidence as originally collected, stored, and in some instances, subjected to other forensic tests. 
  • Practical considerations, such as the availability of witnesses in the event DNA testing would identify a suspect and lead to an arrest and a trial. 
  • Resource issues, such as the time and money available for investigation and forensic analysis.

The nature and scope of these issues require that any approach to reexamining old cases for potential DNA evidence be collaborative, whether by an individual investigator or by a specialized unit developed specifically for cold case review. Local prosecutors can provide valuable insight into legal issues that might prevent or help a future prosecution. Victim/witness units or advocates can provide valuable assistance with locating, educating, and encouraging witnesses. Consultation with representatives from the crime laboratory is critical to ensuring that potential DNA evidence can be successfully analyzed.

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Some or all of the content on this page was excerpted from the Special Report Using DNA to Solve Cold Cases, developed under an award from the Office of Justice Program's National Institute of Justice. See award product disclaimer.