Lauderhill Police Department seeks justice to victims, survivors and the community with the investigation and prosecution of cold cases.

Abstract

    The City of Lauderhill, located in Broward County, with a population of 74,458 and a minority rate of 80.5% of Black or African Americans, has experienced many violent crimes within the last eight years. The violent crime rate per 1,000 residents is 8.56, more than double the crime rate of 2.92 in Florida.

    Between 2017 and 2022, there were a total of 3,698 violent crimes reported, with 107 homicides. The number of homicide cold cases where suspect DNA has been identified is approximately 20. These cases will be the focus of the proposed project. The project has two primary goals: 1) To increase the number of homicide cold case prosecutions and 2) To decrease the number of unresolved homicide cold cases awaiting prosecution.

    The cases selected for review will be those where DNA from a suspect has been identified. This project will use a coordinated approach to identify and prosecute these cases. The process will include a case review to prioritize and track cases. A multidisciplinary team will be formed to conduct these reviews working closely with the Lauderhill Police Department. The approach will also include using DNA and other forensic technologies to seek new leads and entering DNA into databases such as ViCAP and NAMUs and the Combined International DNA Database (CIDD). CIDD is vital in the proposed project since this database includes DNA submitted by Caribbean nations, and 50% of the residents in Lauderhill belong to that component.

        DNA will also be submitted to databases such as 23 and Me, and GED. The proposed project will have a strong partnership with the Broward State Attorney's Office, and the Lauderhill Police Department will work closely with the designated ASAs assigned to the cases submitted for prosecution.

    The review, prosecution, and resolution of homicide cold cases will serve to restore our residents' trust in our law enforcement and judicial systems. It will help to reduce the cycle of violence affecting our community.