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Laredo Cold Cases

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Laredo, Texas Cold Cases

Cases of persons going missing or being murdered in Laredo, Texas date all the way back to the 1980s. The Laredo Police Department reports that the city has over seventy active cases, many of which are considered cold. Those who have vanished without a trace and those whose murders have gone unsolved also fall into this category.

There is a particular section of the Laredo Police Department that looks into cold cases. Detectives with extensive expertise and specialized training in this area staff the team. The major objective of the team is to investigate all of the collected evidence and come up with fresh leads.

The lack of new evidence is a major obstacle to solving cold cases. In many of these situations, no new information has surfaced in years, if not decades. But, cutting-edge forensic equipment is put to use by the Cold Case Squad in order to reexamine previously collected material and identify any new leads in these cases. The unit has been able to make headway on some of these cases thanks to developments in DNA analysis and other forensic procedures.

In addition to cooperating with the Texas Rangers and the FBI, the department also shares information and resources with other law enforcement organizations. By working together, we can be confident that every available tool is being used to deliver justice for the victims.

The Laredo Police Department understands the value of community connections in solving cold cases. The agency routinely holds events and collaborates with the media to raise awareness about cold cases and solicit leads from locals. There are prizes available from the department if a tip leads to an arrest and conviction in one of these cases.

Famous cold cases in Laredo

There is a rising backlog of cases that have not yet been assigned to the Cold Case Squad, which adds to the difficulties of solving cold cases. The Laredo Morning Times reports that the city's Cold Case Team has yet to investigate more than 30 cold cases of homicide. In order to ensure that all cases are being adequately investigated, this backlog highlights the need for extra resources to be assigned to the unit.

There is often no resolution for the victims' families in these cases. In addition to serving justice, the Laredo Police Department hopes that solving these crimes would allow the victims' loved ones to finally rest in peace. Some of these cases have seen advancement, but the department still has a long way to go.

So, the Laredo Police Department has a special unit called the Cold Case Unit that looks into missing and homicide cases that have gone cold. In order to identify suspects and solve cold cases, the team employs cutting-edge forensic technology, collaborates closely with other law enforcement organizations, and forges ties within the community. Although there are many obstacles to resolving cold cases, the agency is dedicated to doing so in order to bring justice to the victims and peace of mind to their loved ones.

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 Laredo Police Department (LPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The Special Investigations Unit of the Laredo Police Department (LPD) is responsible for reopening cold cases. Detectives assigned to the Special Investigations Unit have received specialized training in order to handle the complexities of long-running investigations.

The LPD's Special Investigations Section uses a multi-pronged approach to solving cold cases, which includes:

The team conducts a thorough assessment of the case and analyzes all of the information and evidence at their disposal, including forensic evidence, witness statements, and earlier investigation reports.

In order to acquire more information and look for contradictions in their testimonies, detectives will reinterview witnesses and prospective suspects.

In order to see if forensic evidence, such as a DNA sample, matches any current databases or can be re-analyzed with updated techniques, investigators will frequently re-examine it.

To obtain additional resources and experience, the Special Investigations Unit may collaborate with other law enforcement agencies like the FBI or the Texas Rangers.

The Special Investigative Unit may reach out to the general public for any fresh leads or information by using media channels or social media.

Create fresh leads: Investigators will try to generate new leads by reevaluating existing evidence, interviewing potential witnesses, and following up on tips and leads that may have been missed during the first investigation.

The L.A. Police Department's strategy for solving cold cases is all-encompassing and methodical, use every tool at its disposal to find fresh leads and finally solve the case.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

Laredo, Texas, has a number of options available to the public to help with solving cold cases. The Laredo Police Department is the lead agency for investigating murders in the city. They have a special team that looks into murders, even the ones that were thought to be solved years ago.

The Laredo Police Department is just one of many tools for investigating cold cases in the city. Among these are:

The Texas Rangers are a law enforcement agency with statewide authority throughout the state of Texas. They have a track record of looking into high-profile cases, such as murders and unsolved mysteries.

Another law enforcement entity that can help with cold case investigations is the Webb County Sheriff's Office. Unsolved murders and other violent crimes are investigated by a special cold case section.

Crime Stoppers is an anonymous tip line run by the community for the police. They are offering cash incentives for information leading to an arrest and conviction in a homicide case.

Moreover, the Texas Department of Public Safety is available to help with cold case inquiries. There's a forensics lab there that can help local police with case analysis and other services.

Cold case investigations in Laredo might potentially receive support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They have a special unit devoted to investigating cold cases, and they have access to cutting-edge forensic tools and information that could be vital in making an arrest.

Major cities surrounding Laredo, Texas

Corpus Christi, Texas
Austin, Texas

Houston, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

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