What we do
The Cold Case Coalition investigates cold cases, performs forensic investigative genetic genealogy, and administers grant funding to eligible organizations.
Cold case investigation
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy
1921 Tulsa Identification Project
Multidisciplinary teams of all walks of life take a deep dive into police and court records, autopsies, newspaper archives, and anything else we can get our hands on to augment our understanding of cold cases. We work with families and communities to find answers to unresolved deaths and disappearances.
We provide expert FIGG services to law enforcement on unidentified human remains cases or identifying suspects through crime scene DNA. We also provide grant funding to law enforcement to perform SNP DNA extractions, whole-genome sequencing, and uploading.
This project is a multidisciplinary effort to identify victims buried in unmarked graves as a result of the Tulsa Race Massacre. We work with multiple partners on developing family trees of DNA matches to identify individuals who died in the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Some of our activities
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Research
We spend a lot of time researching cases, both online and in person. Our volunteers deploy deep dives to unearth information that may help inform an investigation.
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Records requests
We submit a lot of requests under open records laws. We also obtain records from other sources. We can provide guidance on how to locate and get copies of records.
Meetings with law enforcement
Survivors often ask us to participate in update sessions with law enforcement. We have found that this can enhance understanding by all parties.Â
Podcast
We periodically bring light to cases through our podcast, Cold Case Talk. Case leaders and volunteers are encouraged to participate in Coalition podcasts involving cases they are assigned.
DNA reviews
As the only cold case organization to have founded and operated an accredited forensic DNA laboratory, the Coalition is uniquely qualified to discuss the potential DNA aspects of cold cases. The Coalition offers no-cost reviews of DNA-related material on cold cases (e.g., interpreting reports, assessing whether additional testing might be productive, etc.).
Henry Lee Lucas Initiative
A team of volunteers has developed a comprehensive database of nearly 400 unsolved cases that were originally misattributed to convicted serial killer and drifter Henry Lee Lucas and his companion Ottis Toole. Using a solvability rating system, the team has identified nearly 100 cases where DNA evidence may lead to strong leads and case solves.