Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is applying for funding to supplement the investigations of cold cases using DNA and expand the agency’s capacity to investigate and prosecute violent crime cold cases. Under this proposal, HCSO seeks funding for personnel overtime, genetic test kits, genetic testing, and travel for identified homicide and sexual assault cold cases. The investigative activities and travel will be conducted by identified Homicide Section and Special Victims Section personnel. Genetic test kits and forensic genetic genealogical testing will be provided by forensic laboratories. This proposal also seeks funding for phenotypic analysis to assist with some of the identified cases. HCSO provides comprehensive law enforcement, detention, court security, child protective investigations, and warrant services for approximately 1.48 million residents county-wide, and patrol and investigative response to calls for service for the 1,019,128 residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County. Funding under this proposal will directly benefit the entire Hillsborough County community, as well as countless other county and state communities where victims, families, and loved ones now reside.