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Newark Cold Cases

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Newark, New Jersey Cold Cases

Law enforcement authorities in Trenton, New Jersey, and across the United States are increasingly challenged by the prevalence of cold cases. There have been numerous unsolved cases of missing people and murder in the city since 1980.

As of March 2023, 143 cold cases dating back to 1980 have been reported in Trenton through the National Missing and Unidentified People System (NamUs). There are a total of 155 cases involving missing persons and a total of 88 involving killings. There are people of various ages, both sexes, and different ethnicities involved in these cases, and many of them have been unsolved for decades.

When crimes have been unsolved for a long period of time, law enforcement faces a particularly difficult challenge. Some progress has been made, though, thanks to developments in technology and new investigation methods.

The absence of physical evidence or witnesses is a common barrier to solving cold cases. Since many of these instances were first investigated decades ago, progress may be slow if no new evidence or technology has emerged since then. The Trenton Police Department has multiple plans 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.

New forensic techniques, such as DNA analysis, can also be used to reexamine evidence from crime scenes. Many of these cases may have benefited from the availability of technology that did not exist when they were first studied.

Famous cold cases in Newark

The Trenton Police Department has partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement organizations to share data and resources. Several previously unsolved cases in Trenton and across the country have been solved thanks to this partnership.

Law enforcement agencies have not been able to solve all of these instances, which has left many people in need of closure. The Trenton Police Department is committed to assisting the families of missing and murdered persons by providing them with resources and support while they mourn the death of a loved one and advocate for justice.

Law enforcement organizations frequently utilize internet communities like social media in order to bring attention to cold cases and find fresh leads. On a regular basis, the Trenton Police Department updates their social media with new information on cold cases and requests the public's help in solving them.

The Trenton Police Department has made a concerted effort to find and prosecute those responsible for a number of long-cold crimes. They have a special team to look into murders and disappearances that have not been solved. It is the department's policy to provide its officers with training in cold case investigative techniques.

In sum, Trenton's and the country's law enforcement organizations continue to struggle with the difficulty of investigating cold cases. 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 Newark Police Department (NPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

Unsolved murder and disappearance cases are investigated by the Trenton Police Department's Cold Case Unit. 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 Trenton Police Department is home to a Missing People Unit in addition to the Cold Case Unit. 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 Trenton Police Department's plan to investigate cold cases includes using cutting-edge forensic technology, collaborating with other organizations and the public, and reaching out to the general public in order to find fresh leads. To guarantee that its personnel are equipped to conduct cold case investigations, the agency also provides training in this area. The Trenton Police Department, as a whole, is dedicated to solving cold cases in order to provide victims' families with answers and bring criminals to justice.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

In Newark, New Jersey, there are a number of tools at your disposal to investigate and potentially solve cold cases:

The Newark Police Department has a special team that focuses on solving long-forgotten crimes. They collaborate with other branches of law enforcement and have access to cutting-edge tools to investigate and solve crimes.

The New Jersey State Police Missing People Unit is in charge of investigating missing person cases throughout the state, including cold cases.

Homicide Unit of the New Jersey State Police — This unit is responsible for investigating all homicides in New Jersey, including cold cases. They have a squad of investigators who are experts at cracking unsolved cases.

New Jersey Crime Stoppers is an anonymous tip line that offers cash prizes for information that helps solve crimes, even cold cases.

To aid law enforcement in their search for missing children and the resolution of cases of child abduction and exploitation, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was established. Families of missing children also receive assistance and resources from this group.

Major cities surrounding Newark, New Jersey

Jersey City, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Paterson, New Jersey
Edison, New Jersey
New Brunswick, New Jersey

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