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Waterbury Cold Cases

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Waterbury, Connecticut Cold Cases

Waterbury is one of the cities in Connecticut with the highest amount of cold cases involving missing or murdered people who have not been solved. There are still about 40 incidents from 1980 onward that haven't been investigated, leaving victims' loved ones with doubts and a need for justice.

The Waterbury Police Department says that a methodical and consistent strategy is needed to solve these unsolved cases. Evidence from the past is reexamined and analyzed with up-to-date forensic methods. The public's help in providing investigators with information and tips is also greatly appreciated.

Waterbury police have to deal with a high turnover rate of detectives because of the volume of major crimes. Several investigators have retired or been reassigned away from the cases throughout the years. No matter how long it takes, the department will keep working on these matters until they are closed.

Most of Waterbury's unsolved cases involve missing teenagers or young women who were last seen in the city. A number of these incidents occurred during the city's drug and homicide epidemic of the '80s and '90s. It has been more challenging to acquire information and leads because the women were often involved in sex work or drug usage.

The Waterbury Police Department has made efforts in recent years to employ technological means in order to resolve such crimes. The DNA Doe Project, a non-profit that use DNA testing to locate missing persons and close cold cases, is a partner. Several people have been identified thanks to this collaboration, including a young woman whose body was discovered in 1987 but who was not identified until this year.

Famous cold cases in Waterbury

The department also makes use of social media to disseminate information on cold cases and solicit community input. They update their social media pages frequently with new information regarding cold cases in the hopes that someone may come forward with new leads.

The Waterbury Police Department is dedicated to doing what they can to provide justice to the families of those who have been wronged, even if that means working on cold cases. They want anyone, no matter how seemingly trivial their clue may be, to come forward.

In conclusion, Waterbury, Connecticut's high rate of unsolved cold cases highlights the need for ongoing public attention and active participation. The Waterbury Police Department uses cutting-edge forensic methods, cutting-edge technology, and community involvement to provide closure for victims' families and to make the city a safer place for all residents.

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 Waterbury Police Department (WPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

When looking into cold cases, the police in Waterbury, Connecticut, frequently employ a wide range of tools and strategies, such as:

Evidence is reviewed and re-analyzed in order to find fresh leads or possible suspects. This may include reviewing physical evidence, witness testimony, surveillance footage, and other pertinent information.

DNA analysis, forensic testing, and other investigative methods are examples of the cutting-edge technology that law enforcement organizations may employ to crack cold cases.

Interviews and follow-ups: In order to solve a case, investigators may question potential witnesses, victims, and suspects.

Sharing information and resources, law enforcement can often solve cold cases by collaborating with other local, state, and federal authorities.

Authorities may use public requests for information or media attention to raise awareness of cold cases or find new leads.

A police department's approach to solving cold cases can vary based on the specifics of the case and the resources at their disposal.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

Many tools are available to law enforcement and the public in Waterbury, Connecticut, to help them investigate and solve cold cases. To name a few examples of such materials:

The Waterbury Police Department is primarily responsible for investigating all criminal matters in the city, including cold cases. To look into murders and disappearances that have not been solved, they have a special Cold Case Unit.

The Major Crime Unit of the Connecticut State Police aids municipal police departments in their investigations of major crimes, especially cold cases. They also offer forensic services like DNA analysis at their on-site forensic lab.

Organization that helps law enforcement and families of missing children is the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Also, they help with the identification of unidentified human remains and keep track of youngsters who have gone missing.

NamUs is a national database where law enforcement, medical examiners, and the general public can look for information about missing people and unidentified remains. DNA testing and other forensic procedures to help identify missing persons are provided at no cost.

Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit that encourages the public to anonymously send information to law enforcement agencies about criminal activities, including cold cases. A reward could be offered for information leading to an arrest.

Major cities surrounding Waterbury, Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Danbury, Connecticut
Meriden, Connecticut

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