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Buffalo Cold Cases

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Buffalo, New York Cold Cases

There have been several unsolved homicides and missing person cases in Buffalo, New York, dating back to the 1980s. Many of these cases have not been closed despite progress in some over the past few years.

Buffalo has 135 cold cases from the 1980s, as shown by information from the National Missing and Unidentified People System (NamUs). Seventy of these incidents involve missing persons while the remaining 65 involve 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.

Law enforcement in Buffalo has devised a number of methods for tackling the difficulty and length of time required to solve cold cases. Re-examining evidence from crime scenes with the help of cutting-edge forensic tools like DNA analysis is a common tactic. In recent years, tremendous advances have been made thanks to the development of new technologies that have helped law enforcement agencies identify suspects and bring them to justice.

Public outreach is another tactic that can be used to find new clues and information about the cases. This can involve engaging with community organizations and advocacy groups to spread the word about the incidents and encourage individuals to come forward with any information they may have as well as making public appeals through media outlets, social media, and other platforms.

To help families of missing individuals and homicide victims deal with their grief and keep their loved ones' cases in the public view, law enforcement authorities work closely with them. The relatives of missing individuals and homicide victims can rely on the Buffalo Police Department's Victim Services program for guidance and comfort throughout the investigation and legal process.

Without tangible evidence or eyewitnesses, investigating cold cases can be extremely difficult. Since many of these instances were first investigated decades ago, progress may be slow if no new evidence or technology has emerged since then. Many methods have been developed by the Buffalo Police Department to deal with these issues.

Famous cold cases in Buffalo

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.

Sharing information and resources with other law enforcement agencies is another tactic. This includes the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Several previously unsolved cold cases have been solved thanks to this partnership between researchers in Buffalo and elsewhere.

Law enforcement agencies have not been able to solve all of these instances, which has left many people in need of closure. The Buffalo Police Department uses every tool at its disposal to track down the criminals responsible for these atrocities and bring them to justice for the victims and their loved ones.

Law enforcement organizations frequently utilize internet communities like social media in order to bring attention to cold cases and find fresh leads. The Buffalo Police Department often updates their social media profiles with information regarding cold cases and pleas for the public's help in solving them.

In sum, unsolved cases are still a major problem in the city of Buffalo, New York. 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 Buffalo Police Department (BPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The Buffalo Police have created a multi-pronged approach to solving cold cases. The following are the stages of this plan:

In order to determine whether any new leads or evidence were missed during the first investigation, the Buffalo Police Department's Cold Case Squad investigates all accessible case files, evidence, and witness statements.

The squad reinterviews potential witnesses, including those who may have seen or heard something, as well as their loved ones, to discover if their memories have changed or if they have any new information regarding the case.

In order to reexamine evidence and find fresh leads, the team uses cutting-edge forensic equipment and DNA analysis.

The Cold Case Squad collaborates with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to share data and resources.

The team reaches out to the public through various channels to solicit tips and encourage citizens to come forward with any information they may have regarding the case.

The Buffalo Police Department takes these and other measures to aid their investigations, and they also use technology. Skeletal remains, for instance, can be examined at a forensic anthropology lab, and DNA evidence can be matched to suspects via a DNA database.

The division also works closely with the loved ones of those who have gone missing or been murdered, giving them with assistance to help them deal with their grief and keep their cases in the public eye. The relatives of missing individuals and homicide victims can rely on the Buffalo Police Department's Victim Services program for guidance and comfort throughout the investigation and legal process.

Collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and groups is also an integral part of the Buffalo Police Department's strategy for investigating cold cases. They exchange data and resources with the FBI and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

In general, the Buffalo Police Department's approach to cold case investigations includes a review of all available evidence and information, the application of cutting-edge forensic technology, partnerships with other organizations and the public, and the dissemination of information to the general public in an effort to find fresh leads. The department's top priority is solving unsolved crimes so that victims' families can find peace and justice can be served.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

In Buffalo, New York, there are a number of tools at your disposal to investigate cold cases:

Cold Case Squad of the Buffalo Police Department: The Buffalo Police Department has a specialized unit that looks into cold cases, such as murders that have gone unsolved or people who have gone missing.

The New York State Police have a cold case unit that looks into cold crimes such missing persons and unsolved murders.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) collaborates with local, state, and federal law enforcement to aid with missing child investigations. The services they offer are quite comprehensive, and they even offer case analysis and technical support.

The Doe Network is a group of anonymous people who help authorities find missing people. Along with law enforcement, they keep track of unidentified people in a database and try to find a match.

Crime Stoppers is a confidential reporting system for criminal tips to law enforcement agencies. They provide prizes for anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest or indictment in a case.

Major cities surrounding Buffalo, New York

Rochester, New York
Niagara Falls, New York
Cheektowaga, New York
Amherst, New York
Tonawanda, New York

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