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College Station Cold Cases

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College Station, Texas Cold Cases

Located in the center of Brazos County, College Station, Texas, is a relatively modest city. Many persons have gone missing or been murdered in the city since 1980, despite its tiny size. More than twenty crimes at College Station have not been solved, and many of them are considered cold cases, according to the police. Those who have vanished without a trace and those whose murders have gone unsolved also fall into this category.

A subset of the College Station Police Department is responsible for looking into cold cases. Detectives with extensive expertise and specialized training in this area staff the team. The major objective of the team is to investigate all of the collected evidence and come up with fresh leads.

The lack of new evidence is a major obstacle to solving cold cases. In many of these situations, no new information has surfaced in years, if not decades. But, cutting-edge forensic equipment is put to use by the Cold Case Squad in order to reexamine previously collected material and identify any new leads in these cases. The unit has been able to make headway on some of these cases thanks to developments in DNA analysis and other forensic procedures.

In addition to cooperating with the Texas Rangers and the FBI, the department also shares information and resources with other law enforcement organizations. By working together, we can be confident that every available tool is being used to deliver justice for the victims.

In order to crack cold cases, the College Station Police Department understands the value of community outreach. The agency routinely holds events and collaborates with the media to raise awareness about cold cases and solicit leads from locals. There are prizes available from the department if a tip leads to an arrest and conviction in one of these cases.

Famous cold cases in College Station

There is a rising backlog of cases that have not yet been assigned to the Cold Case Squad, which adds to the difficulties of solving cold cases. About ten homicides in Bryan-College Station remain unsolved, the Bryan-College Station Eagle reports, and the Cold Case Squad has not yet investigated any of them. In order to ensure that all cases are being adequately investigated, this backlog highlights the need for extra resources to be assigned to the unit.

There is often no resolution for the victims' families in these cases. The College Station Police Department understands that solving these crimes is crucial not just for the sake of justice, but also for the sake of the victims' loved ones, who deserve to have some measure of closure. Some of these cases have seen advancement, but the department still has a long way to go.

The College Station Police Department has a special unit called the Cold Case Squad that looks into missing and homicide cases that have gone cold. In order to identify suspects and solve cold cases, the team employs cutting-edge forensic technology, collaborates closely with other law enforcement organizations, and forges ties within the community. Although there are many obstacles to resolving cold cases, the agency is dedicated to doing so in order to bring justice to the victims and peace of mind to their loved ones.

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 College Station Police Department (CSPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The College Station Police Department's (CSPD) Criminal Investigations Division focuses solely on solving cold cases (CID). Cases that have "gone cold," with no new information or suspects to pursue, are handled by the CID's squad of investigators.

The Criminal Investigation Division of the CSPD uses a multi-pronged approach when looking into cold cases, which includes:

The team conducts a thorough assessment of the case and analyzes all of the information and evidence at their disposal, including forensic evidence, witness statements, and earlier investigation reports.

In order to acquire more information and look for contradictions in their testimonies, detectives will reinterview witnesses and prospective suspects.

In order to see if forensic evidence, such as a DNA sample, matches any current databases or can be re-analyzed with updated techniques, investigators will frequently re-examine it.

To obtain extra resources and experience, the CID may collaborate with other law enforcement agencies like the FBI.

The CID may go out to the public via the news media or social media in an effort to find fresh leads or information about the case.

The CSPD takes a holistic and methodical approach to cold case investigations, which includes employing all available resources and methodologies to unearth fresh material and finally close the case.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

Help in solving cold cases is available from a number of sources in College Station, Texas.

Cold case investigators are available through the College Station Police Department. They collaborate with other departments and use cutting-edge tools and forensic science to crack cases.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains a Cold Case website detailing statewide cold cases. There's also a secret tip line where anyone can call in with information without fear of repercussions.

Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit that collaborates with law enforcement to provide anonymous tips that lead to arrests and convictions. For information that helps solve a cold case, they offer cash rewards.

Texas A&M University has a forensic science department that assists in solving cold cases and educates local law enforcement. Moreover, they have a DNA lab where unsolved cases can be investigated.

The local private investigation industry boasts a number of firms that focus on solving cold cases. They can help law enforcement agencies and victim families collect information and evidence.

Some of the tools at hand in College Station's disposal for resolving cold cases are the ones listed above.

Major cities surrounding College Station, Texas

Bryan, Texas
Navasota, Texas
Brenham, Texas
Huntsville, Texas
Conroe, Texas

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