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Dallas Cold Cases

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Dallas, Texas Cold Cases

Cold cases involving disappearances and homicides in Dallas, Texas date back to at least 1980. The Dallas Police Department reports that there are currently more than a thousand cold cases in the city. Those who have vanished without a trace and those whose murders have gone unsolved also fall into this category.

Cold case detectives can be found at the Dallas Police Department. Detectives with years of expertise and specialized training in cold case investigations man the Cold Case Unit. 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.

The Dallas Police Department understands the value of community outreach in solving cold cases. 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 Dallas

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. The Dallas Morning News claims that the city's Cold Case Team has yet to investigate more than 500 cold cases of homicide. 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 Dallas Police Department is committed to solving these crimes not only for the purpose of justice but also so that the victims' loved ones can finally rest in peace. Some of these cases have seen advancement, but the department still has a long way to go.

In conclusion, the Dallas Police Department has a special unit called the Cold Case Unit 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 Dallas Police Department (DPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The Murder Cold Case Unit of the Dallas Police Department (DPD) is responsible for investigating unsolved homicides. Detectives assigned to the unit have received specialized training in order to handle the investigation of difficult and lengthy cases.

The DPD's Homicide Cold Case Unit uses a multi-pronged approach to solving 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.

The Murder Cold Case Unit may partner with the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Texas Rangers to tap into their extensive resources and professional knowledge.

The Murder Cold Case Unit may reach out to the general public for any fresh information or leads by using media or social media.

Create fresh leads: Investigators will try to generate new leads by reevaluating existing evidence, interviewing potential witnesses, and following up on tips and leads that may have been missed during the first investigation.

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

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

In Dallas, Texas, there are a number of resources available to investigate and potentially solve cold cases. Among these are:

The Cold Case Unit of the Dallas Police Department is in charge of investigating cold cases, such as murders and disappearances that have gone unsolved for a long time. They try to find the perpetrators and put them behind bars so that victims' loved ones can finally rest in peace.

The Texas Department of Public Safety compiles and stores information about cold cases including homicide, disappearance, and other criminal activity. In order to solve cold cases, they are working to link up police departments around the state.

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit group that pays out rewards for information that helps solve cold cases. People can provide tips and information anonymously through them.

Helping families and law enforcement find missing children is the mission of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. They help victims and try to get them back with their families.

The Doe Network is a global group of volunteers who collaborate with law enforcement to identify missing people in cold cases. They keep track of unidentified people and try to pair them up with missing person situations.

Major cities surrounding Dallas, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Plano, Texas
Irving, Texas
Garland, Texas

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