About

In 2015 the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) formed the NIJ Cold Case Working Group consisting of 30+ cold case experts from around the country in an effort to formulate a Best Practices Guide for cold case investigations in the USA.  After nearly 4 ½ years the working group settled on the NIJ “National Best Practices for Implementing and Sustaining a Cold Case Investigation Unit” published in July 2019.  (https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/252016.pdf). With the limited time available in one podcast session, we will highlight and attempt to explain the twenty-three (23) recommendations that are made. There is no doubt that this guide should be the leading document regarding cold case investigations in the USA.  Please keep in mind that these are “recommendations” or suggestions, and cannot be mandated by NIJ, DOJ or any other federal government entity.   However, individual law enforcement agencies may, at their choosing, make certain recommendations compulsory within their own individual departments.  Thus – a “guide” of Best Practices for our agencies to consider, incorporate into their police operations and follow so as to reduce the mounting number of unsolved homicides.