City of Albuquerque Police Department FY23 SAKI Purpose Area 6 Application

Proposal Abstract

Purpose of the Project

The City of Albuquerque’s Police Department is requesting FY23 SAKI grant enhancement funds from the National Cold Case Initiative. APD has addressed their unsubmitted SAEKs and have demonstrated they have addressed the downstream case activities under SAKI for more than 75% of their cases and are ready to move into the next phase of inventorying all unresolved violent crime cold cases.

Albuquerque is amongst the most dangerous US Metro Areas in the Nation with a 71% increase in homicides over the last 6 years. The purpose of the project would be to get DNA tested, hire civilian staff and pay detective overtime to investigate cases and, with hope, give closure to the families who have suffered far too long.

            The Cold Case Unit has 503 unresolved homicide cases. An inventory was compiled of the not sexually motivated cases which identified 93 cases that could utilize DNA/FGG testing. APD applied for and received the FY20 SAKI DNA testing grant to submit six cold case homicides and five unidentified human remains (UHR) cases for DNA/FGG testing. Of the UHR cases, two are possibly related to the 118th Street – West Mesa serial killer, still missing women cases.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Primary Activities

The proposal for the FY23 SAKI grant seeks funding for personnel; overtime for sworn and civilians, trained to screen, prepare and investigate the unresolved homicide cases. Funding for DNA, FGG and other testing required as well as training, technology and supplies needed to enhance an investigation. A multi-disciplinary team will be created to include; Law Enforcement, Laboratory Personnel, District Attorney’s Office, and other organizations as needed.

Expected Outcomes

Investigators have not been able to analyze and test evidence or fully develop the persons of interest into suspects due to a lack of training, personnel, monetary and forensic resources. The cases include incidents with multiple victims ranging in age from early teens to early 80s, diversity of genders, multiple Indigenous and African American victims and serial offenders. With SAKI funding APD will be able to move forward on these cases.  

Service Area and Intended Beneficiaries

Grant funding would allow support of the untested / unresolved homicide cases to be tested, investigated and sent to the District Attorney’s Office for review and possible prosecution. APD’s Cold Case Homicide Unit will ensure victims’ families are aware of the steps within the judicial system. With a 2023 population of 570,172, Albuquerque is the largest City in New Mexico and rates 10th in the Nation for homicides.