About Coalition Funding
Removing Cost Barriers to Solve Cases
The greatest impediment to the use of forensic whole genome sequencing is lack of funds. Budgets are stretched and government grants are competitive and limited. CCC wants to help.
Case Funding for DNA-Related Services
CCC will consider applications to fund the following:
- DNA extraction for whole genome sequencing
- DNA testing/whole genome sequencing (including bioinformatics)
- Upload fees to the LE accessible databases
- Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Services for identification
- Applications must be made by law enforcement agencies or innocence-based nonprofit organizations with satisfactory credentials.
- We will accept applications for crime scene DNA OR unidentified human remains (UHR). Note that cases must meet the accessible database upload requirements to be considered.
- The laboratory (for crime scene DNA cases) used must have ISO 17025 accreditation, utilize whole genome sequencing, and agree to share its FASTQ (raw file) or equivalent WGS raw sequencing data file with other accredited laboratories upon request of the applicant. If an alternative file is provided, it will be subject to CCC approval.
- The applicant must prohibit uploading of the profile to any private database to which access is not available to unaffiliated genealogists.
- The applicant must agree not to upload, or permit uploading, to MyHeritage.com, 23andMe, Ancestry.com or any other database for which such upload would violate Terms of Service.
- Subject to individual exceptions, Unidentified Human Remains must have been located no earlier than 1954. There is no requirement that foul play be suspected for UHR.
- If possible, any case should have, at minimum, have an attempt to enter into the relevant DNA database (NDIS/CODIS etc.) as per the SWGDAM guidelines for FIGG.
- The applicant agrees to allow CCC to perform and/or coordinate the genetic genealogy services.
- The applicant will be invoiced in the amount of $2,000 ONLY after the laboratory is able to generate upload files for the LE accessible databases and genetic genealogy services have started.
Decisions regarding eligibility and allocation of available funds are wholly within the discretion of CCC.
Confidentiality shall be maintained for applications.
Except by prior arrangement, CCC will take bids and arrange with the laboratory for services covered under CCC Funding. CCC will make payment directly to the laboratory that performs the testing as well as uploads to LE accessible databases.
CCC payment to the laboratory shall be conditioned upon certification by the laboratory that it: 1) did not upload or permit uploading to MyHeritage.com, 23andMe, Ancestry.com or any other database for which such upload would violate Terms of Service; and 2) did not upload to any private database to which access is not available to unaffiliated genealogists.
Apply for funding
CCC offers two paths for DNA funding for cold cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at info@coldcasehelp.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Founded in 2017, the Cold Case Coalition is a nonprofit that collaborates with both families and law enforcement across the country to resolve unsolved murders and missing persons cases. Through initiatives like Utah’s “Rosie’s Law,” the launch of the nation’s first nonprofit forensic DNA lab accredited in whole genome sequencing, and ongoing support from hundreds of volunteers, the Coalition continues to reopen cases, secure convictions, and fund advanced forensic testing to bring long-overdue answers to families.
CCC’s mission has always been to help families and law enforcement find resolutions to cold cases. Too many families and communities need answers.
Law enforcement agencies, innocence-based nonprofits with satisfactory credentials, Medical Examiner's Offices, DA Offices.
CCC decision makers will periodically review pending applications and decide what funds should be allocated, if any. The amount of funding will depend on the number of applications, availability of funding, whether the applicant has previously received funds, and other considerations. Because CCC is operated primarily by volunteers, meetings typically occur monthly but decisions might take longer. No funding is guaranteed for any application or applicant.
Funds can be used for Whole Genome Sequencing (including serology, extraction and bioinformatics), database uploads, and reference testing. For WGS and reference testing, funds will typically be paid directly to the laboratory via invoice. For database uploads, funds shall be paid directly to the uploader upon confirmation that the upload has occurred. Prior to payment, the applicant must verify that the expense has not been paid by other funds.
Yes, in rare instances. (CCC defines a “hot” case as less than 1 year old.) Urgent requests should be prominently noted in the application. We also suggest separate emails to info@coldcasehelp.com
CCC will only consider requests from applicants who presently are authorized to arrange DNA testing on a case. CCC might consider conditional funding on cases of historical significance where a commitment for funding might be determinative of whether a project is undertaken.
Funding for targeted sequencing will be considered only in very rare circumstances, and only after Whole Genome Sequencing has been attempted. Funding might be considered for mitochondrial, YSTR, and microarray testing on a case-by-case basis.
Yes, CCC will take bids and arrange with the laboratory for services covered under CCC Funding.
- The lab must use Whole Genome Sequencing to generate profiles. IMF believes that Whole Genome Sequencing offers reliability and compatibility advantages over other forms of testing.
- For crime scene DNA cases only, the lab must be accredited.
- The lab must agree to share its FASTQ (raw file) or equivalent WGS raw sequencing data file with other accredited laboratories upon request of the applicant. If an alternative file is provided, it will be subject to CCC approval. This expectation is common in the industry and enables second looks using varying bioinformatic and analytical methods.
Yes. When applying for funds, applicants must certify that they will not upload, or allow to be uploaded, the profile to a private database that is not accessible by other FIGG genealogists to MyHeritage.com, 23andMe, Ancestry.com OR to any other database for which the upload would be a violation of Terms of Service. Any certification deemed by CCC to have been false or violated will disqualify the applicant, the uploading entity/person, and the agency (if any) from any future funding consideration.
No. Justice includes answers for families and communities in all UHR cases.
We welcome support of the public to aid in this work. Your tax deductible donation will go to a pool that will directly impact these cases. Visit our Donate page to contribute.