ABOUT US
Our Mission
Our mission is to assist families and communities to find answers with
unresolved deaths and disappearances. This Includes:
● Giving unidentified persons back their names
● Identifying persons of interest in violent crimes
● Exonerating the wrongfully incarcerated
● Determining “undetermined” deaths
● Examining “unattended” deaths
● Reopening erroneously closed cases
WHAT WE DO
Our Programs & Expertise
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. Here are some of the key activities we do:
- Research
- Organization of Case Files
- Records Requests
- Searches
- Publicity for cases
- Meetings with law enforcement
- Subject Matter Experts
In addition, we focus our efforts into the following programs and projects:
- Cold Case Review Teams: Volunteers work on a case or group of cases to form a Cold Case Review Team or Working Group. These groups typically have 3-6 members that study a case, prepare timelines, evaluate next steps, and basically “work” the case from scratch. Coalition personnel monitor and participate as needed.
- FIGG Team: Our Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) Team is made up of some of the most experienced genetic genealogists in the field and has identified dozens of unidentified human remains and potential persons of interest in violent crimes.
- DNA Funding for Cold Cases: CCC is committed to removing the cost barriers to solving cold cases. This is why we offer various types of funding for whole genome sequencing, upload fees and FIGG costs directly to law enforcement.
- Podcast, Cold Case Talk
Support for Law Enforcement
Our DNA Funding Initiatives underscore our mission to ensure that no victim is forgotten and that every case deserves justice. We make our application easy and get your case moving through the lab process.
WHO WE ARE
Our Beginning
The Cold Case Coalition is a 501(c)3 nonprofit incorporated in Utah. We arose out of a mother's need for answers 22 years after the murder of her 6-year-old daughter. Through our efforts, the case was reactivated and is actively receiving tips. Other cases include a rape-murder reopened when we proved the person who confessed could not have been the killer, location of missing persons, uncovering new evidence, presentation of suspect information to law enforcement, identification of bodies, etc.
The Coalition is working on more than 400 cases as well as helping others investigate cold cases on their own. We operate the country's only nonprofit forensic DNA lab. Founded by an attorney (Karra Porter), private investigator (Jason K. Jensen), and retired journalist (Tom Harvey), the Cold Case Coalition has the experience and passion to help with these cases.
Our Board
Tom Harvey - Chairman
Betty Porter
Renee Van Tussenbrook
Emily Lindquist
Nicole Roach
Michelle Palmer
Our Organization
Karra Porter - CEO
Andrea McCarthy - Executive Director