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Albuquerque Cold Cases

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Albuquerque, New Mexico Cold Cases

Albuquerque, New Mexico's law enforcement still has a serious problem with cold cases. There have been numerous murders and disappearances in the city since 1980, and many of these cases have yet to be solved.

As of March 2023, 414 cold cases dating back to 1980 have been reported in Albuquerque through the National Missing and Unidentified People System (NamUs). There are 187 confirmed cases of missing people, and 227 confirmed incidents of murder. There are people of various ages, both sexes, and different ethnicities involved in these cases, and many of them have been unsolved for decades.

Because of the complexity and difficulty of solving cold cases, law enforcement has created a number of approaches. Re-examining evidence from crime scenes with the help of cutting-edge forensic tools like DNA analysis is a common tactic. In recent years, tremendous advances have been made thanks to the development of new technologies that have helped law enforcement agencies identify suspects and bring them to justice.

Public outreach is another tactic that can be used to find new clues and information about the cases. This can involve engaging with community organizations and advocacy groups to spread the word about the incidents and encourage individuals to come forward with any information they may have as well as making public appeals through media outlets, social media, and other platforms.

To help families of missing individuals and homicide victims deal with their grief and keep their loved ones' cases in the public view, law enforcement authorities work closely with them. Family members of victims of missing persons and homicides can rely on the Albuquerque Police Department's Victim Advocate program for guidance and comfort throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

Without tangible evidence or eyewitnesses, investigating cold cases can be extremely difficult. Since many of these instances were first investigated decades ago, progress may be slow if no new evidence or technology has emerged since then. Albuquerque's PD has multiple plans in place to deal with these issues.

One tactic is to re-interview previous interviewees, such as family members and witnesses, to determine whether they have any new information or if their memories have altered. Some potential witnesses may feel more at ease talking to police now than they did in the past.

Famous cold cases in Albuquerque

Sharing information and resources with other law enforcement agencies is another tactic. This includes the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Some previously unsolved crimes in Albuquerque and elsewhere in the country have been solved thanks to this group's efforts.

Law enforcement agencies have not been able to solve all of these instances, which has left many people in need of closure. The Albuquerque Police Department uses every tool at its disposal to track down the people responsible for these atrocities and bring them to justice for the victims and their loved ones.

Law enforcement organizations frequently utilize internet communities like social media in order to bring attention to cold cases and find fresh leads. If you have any information about a cold case, the Albuquerque Police Department wants you to contact them through their social media channels.

In sum, it's clear that Albuquerque, New Mexico's cold case problem is far from solved. There is, however, reason to believe that more crimes can and will be solved with the help of the community, the application of cutting-edge technology, and the commitment of law enforcement officials.

Joseph Smedley
Joseph SmedleySuspicious Death, 2015
Asha Degree
Asha DegreeMissing, 2000

Consider this

More than 200,000 unsolved cases have gone cold since 1980, and murder clearance rates continue to drop. With equity for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underserved victims not prioritized in the true crime community—together we can do better.

What is Albuquerque Police Department (APD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

Unsolved murders and disappearances are investigated by the Cold Case Unit of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). The department has a multi-pronged approach to solving cold cases:

In order to determine whether any fresh leads or evidence were missed during the initial investigation, the Cold Case Unit goes through all of the case files, evidence, and witness statements.

The team reinterviews potential witnesses, relatives, and others with knowledge of the case to discover whether their memories have altered or if they have any new information.

In order to reexamine evidence and find fresh leads, the team employs cutting-edge forensic technology and DNA analysis.

The Cold Case Unit collaborates with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to share information and resources.

The unit uses several platforms to reach out to the public in the hopes that someone may recognize the case and come forward with information.

The APD has a Missing People Unit that works alongside the Cold Case Unit to find missing people. Like the Cold Case Unit, the Missing People Unit looks through historical evidence and interviews old and new witnesses to find new leads in cold cases.

The APD also makes use of technology to aid in their investigations, such as a DNA database and a forensic anthropology facility for analyzing skeletal remains.

The APD's approach to solving cold cases is multifaceted, involving a review of previous investigations, the application of cutting-edge forensic technology, partnerships with other organizations and the public, and outreach to develop fresh leads. The department's top priority is solving unsolved crimes so that victims' families can find peace and justice can be served.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

In the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, there are a number of services available to aid in the investigation of cold cases. The following are only a few examples:

Cold Case Unit of the Albuquerque Police Department: The Albuquerque Police Department maintains a specialized unit to investigate cold cases, including murders that have yet to be solved, as well as missing and unidentified persons. They collaborate with victims' loved ones, local authorities, and community groups to solve these cases.

State of New Mexico, Department of Public Safety Clearinghouse for Missing Persons: This resource can help with things like finding a missing person or determining who was buried in a grave. They keep a registry of people who have gone missing or whose bodies have been exhumed in the state.

Any unexpected, violent, or suspicious deaths in New Mexico must be reported to the Office of the Medical Investigator. Along with law enforcement, they also keep track of unclaimed bodies and try to put names to them.

Albuquerque Crime Stoppers is a community initiative that encourages citizens to provide law enforcement with anonymous tips. Anyone who provide information that results in an arrest and subsequent conviction will be eligible for incentives under this scheme.

The Doe Network is a non-profit group dedicated to helping authorities identify missing people in unsolved instances. They collaborate with law enforcement to compile a database of victims' missing identities and to identify their remains.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a government agency whose mission is to aid in the search for missing children and to equip families and law enforcement with the tools they need to protect their children. They keep track of missing children and provide resources for finding and reuniting with them.

The New Mexico State Police Missing People Unit is responsible for conducting statewide missing person investigations. They collaborate with victims' loved ones, the local community, and law enforcement to solve these crimes.

Major cities surrounding Albuquerque, New Mexico

Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Los Lunas, New Mexico
Belen, New Mexico
Grants, New Mexico

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