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Trenton Cold Cases

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Trenton, New Jersey Cold Cases

Law enforcement organizations around the United States are still struggling to solve cold cases involving missing or murdered people. There have been many unsolved crimes in Newark, New Jersey, since 1980, leaving many people in the city and their families with unanswered questions.

As of March 2023, 280 cold cases dating back to 1980 have been reported in Newark through the National Missing and Unidentified People System (NamUs). There are 84 confirmed homicide instances and 196 incidents of missing people. People of different ages, sexes, and ethnic backgrounds have vanished without a trace in these incidents.

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 Newark Police Department has come up with a number of solutions 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.

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

Famous cold cases in Trenton

Law enforcement agencies have not been able to solve all of these instances, which has left many people in need of closure. When someone goes missing or is murdered in Newark, the police department works closely with the families to help them grieve and keep their loved ones' cases in the spotlight.

Law enforcement organizations frequently utilize internet communities like social media in order to bring attention to cold cases and find fresh leads. The Newark Police Department often updates their social media sites with information regarding cold cases, pleading with the public to come forward with any leads they may have.

The Newark Police Department is making a concerted effort to track down and apprehend those responsible for decades-old 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.

Law enforcement organizations in Newark, and across the country, face a persistent problem with 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 Trenton Police Department (TPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

Unsolved homicides, or "cold cases," are investigated by the Newark Police Department's Cold Case Homicide Squad. The department has a multi-pronged approach to solving cold cases:

All accessible case files, evidence, and witness statements are reviewed by the Cold Case Homicide Squad in order to find any new leads or evidence that may have been missed during the initial investigation.

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 Homicide Team collaborates with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to share data 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 Newark Police Department includes a Missing People Unit in addition to the Cold Case Murder Squad. Like the Cold Case Homicide Squad, the Missing People Unit looks through old case files, re-interviews witnesses, and employs forensic tools to find fresh clues.

The Newark Police Department's plan to investigate cold cases includes a review of all evidence and information, the use of cutting-edge forensic technology, partnerships with other organizations and the public, and outreach to develop fresh leads. To guarantee that its personnel are equipped to conduct cold case investigations, the agency also provides training in this area. The Newark Police Department, as a whole, is dedicated to solving cold cases and delivering justice to victims and peace of mind to their loved ones.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

In Trenton, New Jersey, you can use a number of tools to help investigate cold cases. Among these are:

New Jersey State Police Missing People Unit: This unit is responsible for investigating missing persons and unidentified remains cases throughout the state, including Trenton. With their partnerships with local law enforcement, they have access to cutting-edge tools like DNA testing and forensic analysis.

The Trenton Police Department has a specialized cold case squad that looks into murders and disappearances that have gone cold. Along with the New Jersey State Police and other organizations, they help victims' families find peace of mind and those responsible face justice.

The New Jersey State Police Major Crime Unit is responsible for the investigation of homicides, suspicious deaths, and other big crimes in Trenton and around the state. They've got a crack squad of detectives and all the cutting-edge tools and resources they could ever need to solve a case.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is an organization that collaborates with law enforcement and families of missing children to assist find and safely return children. Parents of missing children can also count on them for help and guidance.

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office is headquartered in Trenton, although also serves as a resource for local police departments around the state. They have a special team that assists law enforcement in solving and prosecuting cold cases.

In Trenton, law enforcement agencies collaborate to offer closure to families and justice to victims by investigating cold cases.

Major cities surrounding Trenton, New Jersey

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Allentown, Pennsylvania

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