Facebook Pixel

Bloomington Cold Cases

Stay on top of all things cold cases, advocacy, and true crime with our twice per week newsletter

Bloomington, Indiana Cold Cases

The United States has had a long-standing problem with unsolved incidents of missing and murdered people. Since 1980, several instances in Bloomington, Indiana, have not been solved, causing untold suffering for the victims' loved ones.

The National Institute of Justice reports that there are approximately 250,000 cold case homicides in the United States at the present time. If a criminal investigation has been ongoing for over a year with no new information or suspects, it is considered a cold case. A missing person case is considered "cold" once 30 days have passed without any sign of the missing person.

Cold cases can be the result of a number of factors, such as insufficient evidence or leads, the death of key witnesses, or a lack of available resources for law enforcement. Likewise, the chances of solving a case decline with the passage of time, making cold cases a persistent issue for law enforcement.

The Bloomington Police Department has developed multiple methods, such as revisiting case files and re-interviewing witnesses and suspects, in order to investigate cold cases. Technology, like as enhanced DNA testing, may also be used by detectives to find fresh clues and proof. In addition, authorities can pool their resources and reach out to the public via media and social media for tips and leads. There is an increased burden on law enforcement to solve these cases without the public's assistance.

The value of giving victims' loved ones some sort of closure cannot be emphasized, notwithstanding the difficulties law enforcement organizations confront in investigating cold cases. The community, and especially the victim's loved ones, can be deeply affected when a case becomes cold. Not knowing what happened to a loved one can cause unimaginable suffering and leave those left behind unable to move on with their lives.

Also, community safety is enhanced when cold cases are solved. Offenders who are allowed to walk free represent a danger to the public and may reoffend if they are not stopped. Justice for victims and closure for their loved ones aren't the only benefits of solving cold cases.

Famous cold cases in Bloomington

In Indiana, many people have worked hard to solve the problem of cold cases. The Indiana State Police established a missing persons database in 2009 called the Indiana Clearinghouse for Information on Missing Children and Missing Endangered Adults. The state of Indiana has established a Cold Case Murder Unit of the Indiana State Police to look into cold cases of homicide.

Yet, there are still a significant number of cold cases in Bloomington and the rest of Indiana. Constant obstacles for law enforcement include a dearth of resources, witnesses, and evidence. Since the expense of retesting evidence might be significant, it can be challenging to commit resources towards solving cold cases, despite the ever-improving technology and procedures utilized in forensic science.

In conclusion, unsolved incidents of homicide and disappearance continue to be a serious problem in Bloomington, Indiana, and throughout the United States. It is critical that law enforcement provide victims' families and friends the attention they deserve as they continue to search for answers and closure in these situations. While solving cold cases can be difficult, it is possible to make progress by using innovative methods, coordinating with other agencies, and enlisting public support. In addition to bringing justice to the victims and their families, solving cold cases is essential for maintaining public safety.

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 Bloomington Police Department (BPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

A "cold case" is one in which investigators have exhausted all possible lines of inquiry. The BPD may employ a number of techniques, such as:

It is possible that police will reexamine the original case files in order to discover whether there are any fresh leads or facts that were missed the first time around.

Investigators may re-interview people who may have information about a case to determine whether their accounts have changed or to gather any additional details that were missed the first time around.

Employing cutting-edge tools: Forensic science has benefited greatly from technological advancements, opening up previously closed lines of inquiry. DNA evidence, for instance, might be retested with modern methods, and older pieces of evidence could be studied with cutting-edge forensic equipment.

Law enforcement agencies at the local, state, national, and even worldwide levels may work together to share information and resources in an effort to solve cold cases.

Using media and social media, police departments can reach out to the public in hopes of finding fresh leads and enlisting citizen participation in the investigation. This could involve doing things like making announcements or posting tips boards.

An increasing number of police departments are establishing "cold case units" whose main function is to investigate cold cases. These teams might be better equipped to handle cold case investigations because of their specific training and resources.

In general, law enforcement agencies' approaches to cold case investigations might range from case to case. Although conducting a thorough investigation of a cold case can be time-consuming and costly, it is essential in providing victims' loved ones with closure and holding perpetrators of crimes accountable for their acts.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

Many tools exist in Bloomington, Indiana, to investigate and maybe solve cold cases. For example:

Cold Case Unit of the Bloomington Police Department The Bloomington Police Department has a Cold Case Unit whose sole purpose is to investigate cold cases and other unsolved crimes. This section investigates possible new avenues of inquiry and makes use of cutting-edge tools to advance case resolution.

The Indiana State Police have a special division dedicated to reopening cold cases from all throughout the state. This section frequently works with local authorities to solve crimes.

Information about missing people and unidentified bodies in Indiana can be found in the state-run database known as the Indiana Missing People Clearinghouse. Investigators looking into cold cases may find this database to be a valuable resource.

Private eyes: Cold case investigations are a specialty of some Bloomington-based private investigative agencies. These businesses can lend a hand by providing access to supplementary resources and knowledge.

The Crime Stoppers Foundation is a non-profit organization that facilitates the anonymous submission of tips to law authorities. For investigators seeking fresh leads in cold cases, this group can be a great asset.

Major cities surrounding Bloomington, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana
Louisville, Kentucky
Cincinnati, Ohio
Fort Wayne, Indiana
St. Louis, Missouri

Get Your Free Step-By-Step Citizen Detective Guide

Get Your Free Step-By-Step Citizen Detective Guide