On Demand Webinar
From Case Review to Identification: Building a Modern Cold Case Program
Summary:
Cold cases can be difficult to prioritize, investigate and resource—but advances in forensic DNA technology are creating new opportunities to move long-unsolved cases forward.
Bode Technology and Jason Shea, Staff Lieutenant with the Texas Rangers, explore how law enforcement can build and strengthen a cold case program. Drawing on his experience supervising the Texas Ranger Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program and coordinating the statewide Texas Ranger SAKI Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program, Jason shares practical insights into case review, identifying cases with investigative potential, and developing an effective approach to cold case investigations.
The discussion also examines how advanced DNA testing and forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) can support these efforts, from identifying evidence that may warrant additional testing to developing new investigative leads and identifying offenders.
Key Takeaways:
- Approaches to reviewing and prioritizing cold cases
- Considerations for developing or strengthening a cold case program
- How law enforcement agencies can incorporate advanced DNA testing into cold case investigations
- When FIGG may be an appropriate investigative tool
- Lessons from the Texas Rangers’ experience investigating cold cases
- Potential funding considerations for building and supporting cold case initiatives
Whether your agency has an established cold case unit or is considering how to develop one, this webinar provides practical perspectives on creating a process for identifying cases that may benefit from today’s evolving DNA technologies.
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Jason Shea, Staff Lieutenant, Texas Rangers
Jason Shea has served with the Texas Department of Public Safety for 28 years, including more than a decade with the Texas Ranger Division. He currently supervises Texas Rangers assigned to the Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program (UCIP) and serves as the statewide coordinator for the Texas Ranger Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program.
Since joining UCIP in 2022 and the SAKI Program in 2023, Jason has specialized in cold case investigations involving sexual assaults and homicides, using advanced forensic DNA technologies and forensic genetic genealogy to develop investigative leads and identify offenders. In his current role, he oversees efforts to advance long-unsolved cases through these evolving investigative tools.
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