City of Portland, Oregon SAKI Grant Program: Violent Crime Cold Case Investigation

The City of Portland, Oregon Police Bureau proposes to implement the Violent Crime Cold Case Investigation Program. The purpose is to leverage advances in forensic technology and the BJA SAKI model utilized in prior awards to decrease the number of unresolved violent crime cold cases and increase public safety. Project activities include investigating unresolved violent crimes; implementing a multi-disciplinary team to review and evaluate cases; submitting evidence for DNA testing and analysis; developing a Cold Case outreach component; establishing a victim advocate response; and developing policies and procedures for cold case investigation to
institutionalize best practices. Expected outcomes include the re-establishment of a full-time dedicated Cold Case Unit within the Portland Police Bureau, a completed inventory of all violent cold cases with potential for further investigation; a reduction in the number of unresolved violent crime cold cases; written protocols documenting cold case investigation best practices; and regular program reports.