The Denver Police Department has reviewed thousands of unsolved criminal cases looking for cases containing DNA evidence that could be re-examined with new technology.
Criminals who thought they had gotten away with their crime may find that technology and persistence are catching up with them. And victims who thought their attacker might never be caught have new hope.
History of the DNA Cold Case Project:
In 1999 the Denver Police Department DNA laboratory validated and started using the most modern short tandem repeat (STR)-DNA analysis on criminal cases. Since then, the laboratory has met national quality assurance standards (QAS) and is actively participating in the national DNA databank called the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
In 2002 AND 2004, the Denver Police Department Crime Lab applied for and received $893,976 in grant funds to identify and analyze DNA samples. The grant request proposed using the very latest DNA technology to re-examine an estimated 700 unsolved criminal cases (200 sexual assault cases and 500 homicide cases in which there is DNA evidence).
The majority of cases being submitted to the laboratory as part of the Denver DNA Cold Case project involve crimes that occurred prior to the adaptation of this new technology by the DNA lab.
Current Project Status:
- 4,242 cases have been reviewed as of October 15, 2007
- 950 lab requests have been submitted
- 445 cases have been tested
- 505 lab requests are pending
- 853 DNA samples analyzed
- 230 DNA profiles submitted to CODIS
- 85 CODIS hits: 48 offender, 37 forensic
- 37% hit rate
- 24 cases have been filed – sexual assaults, sexual assaults on children,burglary, kidnapping, robbery, assault
- 21 cases refused for filing
- 14 under active investigation
- 71 ‘John/Jane Doe’ filings, 5 converted to name identified
Under the direction of Denver DA Mitch Morrissey, the Denver DA's Office has filed its first two cases against a man identified through his DNA. The at-large warrant is filed as “John Doe” with his genetic markers listed on the charging documents. He is charged with burglary and indecent exposure in connection with a case in 2002 and another in 2004. (Click here for the news release on these charges: NEWS RELEASE )
Future Goals for the Project:
The laboratory is actively working to analyze the remaining cases. Cold case review teams will continue to investigate cases as far back as the 1950's. For example, the laboratory has successfully analyzed and uploaded genetic evidence on a homicide case from 1969.
The actual number of sexual assault cases has turned out to be more than double the number estimated and additional grant funding has been approved to expand the project.
The most recent grant allows the project to continue and adds additional staff, including a victim services component.
The Denver District Attorney's Office continues to fully support the DNA Cold Case Project and stands ready to move forward on those cases in which criminal charges can be filed.
 
Denver DA Mitch Morrissey and DNA expert Greggory LaBerge appeared on KDTV-Channel 8 recently to talk about the progress of the DNA Cold Case project.
Denver Cold Case Project Video |
