Introduction

Science, Law and Politics of Cold Case Investigations

Science, Law and Politics of Cold Case Investigations

Overview

What do the JonBenet Ramsey murder, the BTK killings and the Centennial Olympic Park bombing have in common? When does a criminal case go “cold,” and what does it take to “thaw it out” again? At a time of laboratory backlogs and funding cuts, what warrants the re-opening of a cold case? How much physical evidence is enough, and what sort of witness is compelling enough? What are the political hurdles involved and how can they be overcome? How have DNA analysis and other scientific advances made it possible to re-investigate and successfully prosecute cold cases? What makes some cases ultimately unsolvable? For answers to these questions and many more, please join a host of investigative, scientific and legal experts for the two-day seminar "Finding Closure: Science, Law and Politics of Cold Case Investigations".

A certificate of completion is available for all who register and attend this webinar.

Presenters

  • Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess
  • Tom Carter
  • Dr. Carole Chaski
  • Dr. Henry Lee
  • Ken Mains

Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence webinar has been provided by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this webinar are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org with any questions and subscribe to our newsletter for notifications.


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