how to help with cold cases

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Resolving more than 220,000 unsolved homicides and disappearances costs money.  For example, it sometimes costs hundreds of dollars just to get a case file (because agencies can charge for locating the file, redacting personal info, etc.). Check a group's 501(c)(3) status before donating - apart from the tax deduction and a 501(c)(3) is not making a profit off of tragedy, and its use of funds is scrutinized and transparent.   

Got a tip on a case? You can call anonymously or give your name - it's up to you. 

Tip Line: 1-385-CLUE-313 (-258-3313)

What's Opting In? Letting your DNA be used to catch killers. GEDmatch.com pioneered the use of public genealogy sites to compare DNA from violent crime scenes. GEDmatch requires people who upload their DNA to confirm that they're OK with their DNA being compared to unidentified remains and/or crime scene DNA.  It only takes a few minutes - if you've taken a DNA test, go to your account settings and download your DNA file then upload to GEDmatch. Note: to have your DNA compared in unidentified human remains cases AND crime scene DNA cases, you must OPT IN!

In addition, DNA Justice is a nonprofit built for volunteers to upload their DNA results exclusively for law enforcement comparison against profiles of perpetrators and unidentified human remains for identification purposes. This database is small, but growing, and is completely free for law enforcement uploads. 

You can also alert law enforcement to funding opportunities, such as the Rosie Tapia Identification Project (RTIP)

 There are tens of thousands of unidentified bodies in the U.S. On NAMUS.gov, a national centralized repository and resource center for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed person cases across the United States, you can compare leads on different cases.

Share your genealogical family tree on public sites for genetic genealogists to find. Along with uploading your DNA, this helps assist our work with law enforcement to bring resolutions to cold cases.