Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2024, $500,000)
The Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit (UCU) will work with the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab (MSPCL) and the District Attorney’s Offices from Berkshire, Bristol, Barnstable/Dukes/Nantucket (Cape and Islands), Essex, Hampden, Hampshire/Franklin (Northwestern), Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties to implement the Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA grant. The project team will use Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) to help solve unsolved homicide and sexual assault cases in Massachusetts in an effort to achieve the project’s goals: decrease the number of unidentified forensic profiles from serious, violent crimes in Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and increase the number of cases that can be brought to prosecution. The team will identify and investigate approximately 30 cases where suspect DNA exists and are eligible for work under this award. This initiative aims to benefit the surviving victims and families impacted by these unsolved homicides and sexual assaults in the state of Massachusetts. Funding from this solicitation will support the USU, MSPCL, and ten District Attorney’s Offices in decreasing the number of unknown offender profiles in CODIS related to unsolved homicides and sexual assault cases in Massachusetts and increasing the number of cases eligible for prosecution.