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Hartford Cold Cases

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Hartford, Connecticut Cold Cases

Many homicide and disappearance investigations have gone cold in the city of Hartford, Connecticut. Some of these incidents have gotten publicity over the years, but the vast majority of them have quietly passed under the radar.

More than a hundred homicides, some dating back to the 1970s, remain unsolved in Hartford, as reported by the police. Of these cases, more than 50 involve individuals who were killed in the last 20 years. The department's Cold Case Team is comprised of seasoned detectives that employ a wide range of investigative strategies in an effort to solve these cold cases.

The Hartford Police Department uses modern technology and forensic procedures to investigate cold cases, as these resources were likely unavailable at the time the crimes were committed. Re-testing of DNA evidence, evaluating crime scene photos and other evidence, and the use of cutting-edge computer software are all examples of such methods.

The department also relies heavily on its intimate relationships with victims' relatives in order to get insight and find new leads. In addition to potentially identifying suspects or persons of interest, family members can provide invaluable insights and perspectives on the victims and their lives. Anybody with knowledge on these crimes is urged to contact the department, which has set up a tip line and other measures to aid this

Famous cold cases in Hartford

But, despite this, many of these cold cases remain unresolved, leaving victims' families waiting for answers and justice. Many locals are understandably shaken by the news that the perpetrator or perpetrators of these killings are still at large.

As a result, the Hartford Police Department has stepped up its community outreach initiatives in an attempt to win over skeptical residents and gain their backing in the fight against crime. Working with local groups, we'll be able to keep the public apprised of the investigations' progress and hear what people in the area have to say.

The difficulty of cracking these cold cases simply increases with the passage of time. People forget details, witnesses disappear, and evidence deteriorates. Still, the detectives of the Hartford Police Department and the victims' loved ones hold out hope that the perpetrators of these atrocities will be apprehended and brought to justice.

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 Hartford Police Department (HPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The police in Hartford may employ a number of methods and tools in their quest to solve cold cases. Evidence examination and analysis, interviews with witnesses and family members, the application of forensic technologies such as DNA analysis, and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and subject matter experts are all examples. Alternatively, police agencies can designate investigators or an entire squad to deal exclusively with cold cases. Several law enforcement agencies are also using genealogy to track out leads in unsolved cases, thanks to the proliferation of public databases and other technological breakthroughs.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

The Hartford Police Department mostly relies on the Connecticut State Police to investigate cold cases. Unsolved murder and disappearance cases are investigated by the Cold Case Unit within the department. The Cold Case Section of the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice additionally aids local authorities in their pursuit of cold cases. A website is kept up by the state that details cold cases and other unresolved crimes. The website offers tools and advice to the general public to aid in the resolution of such disputes. The Connecticut State Police collaborate with regional media to raise public awareness of cold cases and solicit information from the general public.

Major cities surrounding Hartford, Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut
Waterbury, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Springfield, Massachusetts
New Britain, Connecticut

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