Foundational Concepts
Cold Case
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An unsolved crime, typically a serious offense such as homicide, that has not been actively investigated for a significant period, often reopened when new techniques such as DNA profiling become available to reexamine old evidence.
Facts
Cross-Tradition Connections
Exemplified By Cases
The case lay dormant for decades before the offender resumed contact in 2004.
The murders went unsolved for nearly two decades before DNA evidence closed the case.
Sources
1. Siegel, Criminology: The Core
Larry J. Siegel, Cengage Learning
Wikipedia: Gary Ridgway
1982-1984: First known victims sectionQuote, 1982-1984: First known victims section
A unique kind of spray paint was found on clothing wrapped around the victim's neck, but the paint was not tested for 20 years.
Wikipedia: Gary Ridgway
1982 to 1984, First known victims sectionQuote, 1982 to 1984, First known victims section
Later advances in DNA profiling allowed investigators to definitively link Ridgway to the murders.
Wikipedia: Gary Ridgway
Wikipedia: Dennis Rader
Wikipedia: Joseph James DeAngelo
Exemplified By Cases: Golden State Killer Case, lead section, arrest dateQuote, Exemplified By Cases: Golden State Killer Case, lead section, arrest date
On April 24, 2018, Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies arrested DeAngelo in the side yard of his Sacramento home.
Wikipedia: Zodiac Killer
Exemplified By Cases: Zodiac Killer Case, lead sectionQuote, Exemplified By Cases: Zodiac Killer Case, lead section
The Zodiac Killer (also known by the pseudonym The Zodiac) is an unidentified serial killer.
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