The North Carolina city of Charlotte has seen its fair share of cold cases. Several cases have been closed, however there are still those that haven't been solved.
Several people have gone missing and many murders have gone unsolved in the Charlotte region since 1980. The Cold Case Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) is in charge of looking into unsolved crimes in the area.
Around two hundred cold cases are still open in Charlotte, according to the CMPD. Among these are homicides, disappearances, and incidents of unknown human remains. Victims of color, particularly African Americans and Latinxs, predominate in these incidents.
Lack of tangible evidence and the passage of time might be obstacles in the investigation of cold cases. It's possible that crucial witnesses have relocated or passed away, that crucial evidence has been lost or destroyed, and that crucial memories have faded. The CMPD Cold Case Unit, however, is dedicated to solving these mysteries and giving peace to the families involved.
When looking into cold cases, the CMPD's Cold Case Section employs several methods. The testimony of witnesses, forensic evidence, and photographs of the crime scene are all examples of evidence that should be reviewed. They also conduct follow-up interviews with witnesses and family members to glean any fresh details.
Using cutting-edge technology to reexamine previously gathered material is also crucial to the probe. DNA testing, for instance, has become an essential method for cracking unsolved crimes. In order to evaluate DNA evidence and compare it to a national database, the CMPD's Cold Case Unit collaborates closely with forensic specialists.
The CMPD also conducts outreach to the general public in order to find fresh leads in cold cases. They notify the public about cold cases using media like social media and news releases in the hopes that someone would recognize a connection and come forward with information.