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.
To support law enforcement agencies trying to search, evaluate, select, and conduct DNA analysis on violent crime "cold cases" (i.e., old, unsolved cases) that have the potential to be solved through DNA testing, NIJ released solicitation in Fiscal Years 2005 and 2007. Awardees included: