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State College Cold Cases

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State College, Pennsylvania Cold Cases

College town State College, Pennsylvania, is a historic and cultural treasure. It has, however, its fair share of missing and murdered persons cases that have gone cold, as do many other American cities. Families who have been waiting for answers in these situations for years, maybe decades, often feel like they will never get them. While every case is different, the statistics surrounding these types of crimes can be rather disturbing and provide light on the difficulties law enforcement agencies have when attempting to solve them.

Many cases of people going missing or being murdered in State College since 1980 have not been resolved. Several of these cases have not been solved despite efforts by law enforcement and families to find answers despite technological and other breakthroughs.

About 10 cases involving missing people have been documented since 1980. Only around half of these cases have been closed; the other 60% remain unsolved. Lack of evidence, missing people who vanished on their own own, and incidents in which the victim is presumed to have been taken out of state or country are just a few of the many possible explanations for why these crimes remain unsolved.

Since 1980, State College has seen its share of mysterious disappearances and unsolved homicides. Many suspects and a lack of evidence or eyewitnesses can make these situations exceptionally challenging for law enforcement. When compared to the clearance rate for missing person cases, the clearance rate for homicides is significantly lower, hovering around 20%.

Despite these numbers, law enforcement authorities in State College are nonetheless committed to bringing these criminals to justice. DNA evidence has played a major part in several recent cold case arrests thanks to developments in technology and forensic science. Social media and other online tools have also facilitated the widespread distribution of news and calls for assistance that were before impossible.

The lack of resources is a problem for law enforcement when looking into cold cases. Due to resource constraints, it may be impossible to conduct in-depth inquiries into each situation. When new information becomes available years after a case has been closed for lack of leads or evidence, it is often decided to reopen the investigation.

Famous cold cases in State College

The emotional toll these cases may take on loved ones and law enforcement is another obstacle. Many relatives of victims of disappearance or murder have waited for years for answers, and each day that passes just deepens their anguish. Each unsolved case represents a failure to provide justice to victims and their families, creating enormous pressure for law enforcement to find answers.

In spite of these obstacles, cold cases have been solved with success in State College. The 1996 shooting death of young woman Jody LeCornu is one such instance. It took almost 20 years, but in 2018, thanks to DNA evidence and fresh witness testimony, her case was finally solved.

Cases like Jody's serve as a reminder of the necessity of solving cold cases, but they also show how much law enforcement organizations require consistent funding and resources. If law enforcement is given greater resources and time, they will be more likely to solve these crimes and bring closure to the affected families.

Several people have gone missing or been murdered in State College, Pennsylvania since 1980, and many of these instances remain unsolved. Law enforcement has numerous obstacles while attempting to solve these cases, but recent developments in technology and forensic science, as well as the increased availability of information thanks to the Internet, have opened up new avenues of inquiry. If law enforcement is given more tools and manpower, they can keep working toward bringing justice to families.

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 State College Police Department (SCPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The State College Police Department employs a number of methods for reviving cold cases, such as:

The State College Police Department analyzes all evidence, including witness testimonies, crime scene images, and forensic evidence, in cold cases, even if it is several years old. They might also re-test DNA evidence using cutting-edge lab equipment or apply cutting-edge analytic methods to previously analyzed data.

With modern technology: DNA and ballistics testing are just two examples of the new types of testing and analysis made possible by technological advancements. Forensic professionals collaborate with the State College Police Department to examine evidence and develop suspect profiles.

The State College Police Department has close ties with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police, among others, in order to share information and resources. By working together, we can expand our reach and gain access to more specialized tools.

The State College Police Department reaches out to the public through many channels to solicit tips and information. The department's goal in disclosing information regarding old cases is to find new leads and uncover previously unknown details.

State College's Cold Case Unit is staffed by detectives who have received specific training and expertise in the investigation of cold cases. These cops are in charge of revisiting and reexamining cold cases.

The State College Police Department frequently releases press releases and social media posts about cold cases. The department hopes that by maintaining public awareness of the cases, they will be able to attract new leads and information that would help bring closure to the investigations.

The State College Police Department's approach to solving cold cases is multifaceted and includes the use of both time-tested methods and cutting-edge tools, as well as cross-agency cooperation and public engagement. The agency is investing time and energy into these cases in the name of fairness for the victims and their loved ones.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

In State College, Pennsylvania, you can make use of a number of different tools to investigate and perhaps solve cold cases, such as:

DNA testing: recent advances in DNA testing have completely altered the dynamics of investigating cold cases. Forensic analysis services are provided by the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab to local law enforcement agencies like the State College Police Department. DNA analysis has the ability to shed new light on cold cases and lead to the arrest of those responsible.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offers many resources, such as the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) and the Behavioral Analysis Unit, to aid in the investigation of cold cases (BAU). You can get professional help with suspect profiling and finding new leads using these tools.

The Cold Case Unit of the Pennsylvania State Police is charged with examining cold cases of murder and disappearance across the state. Along with the State Police, the State College Police Department can tap into the agency's resources and expertise to solve cold cases.

With the help of the community, law enforcement can better investigate and maybe solve cold cases. In order to connect with locals and find potential leads, the State College Police Department has taken to social media and other forms of outreach.

Families or law enforcement agencies can use the services of private investigators to go deeper into cold cases. These sleuths might have access to information and tools that are unavailable to police on a local level.

The State College Police Department is considering instituting a reward program in exchange for information that helps solve unsolved crimes. Individuals may be encouraged to come forward with information that would not have been disclosed without the offer of such awards.

In sum, State College, Pennsylvania has access to a number of tools that can facilitate the examination of cold cases. Law enforcement has a better chance of solving these crimes and bringing closure to the families of missing and murdered people if they make use of these tools and cooperate with other agencies and the community.

Major cities surrounding State College, Pennsylvania

Altoona, Pennsylvania
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Scranton, Pennsylvania

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