Using DNA to Seek Justice in Richmond County's Cold Cases

The Richmond County District Attorney’s Office (RCDA) will utilize this funding to support the prosecution of violent crime cold cases where DNA from a suspect has been identified. RCDA serves the approximately 500,000 residents of Staten Island, New York by investigating and prosecuting all crimes within its jurisdiction (typically 10,000-12,000 cases/year). RCDA is proposing to implement the Using DNA to Seek Justice in Richmond County’s Cold Cases program to establish a Cold Case Unit and increase the time available to devote to violent crime cold case homicide investigations that already have suspect DNA profiles developed. RCDA has an estimated 100 violent crime cold cases where DNA from a suspect has been identified. RCDA will begin by conducting an inventory of all unresolved violent cold case crimes and identify cases that already have suspect DNA profiles developed. RCDA will enter all criteria cases into the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program and National Missing and Unidentified Persons System databases. RCDA’s director of forensic science will evaluate the inventory of criteria cases, identify evidence that is consistent with OCME’s testing policies, and in collaboration with the Executive ADA leading the Cold Case Unit, determine which cases would benefit from additional testing. RCDA will partner with the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) to test evidence from RCDA’s criteria cases. RCDA will utilize these test results to inform follow-up investigations and, where appropriate, RCDA’s Assistant District Attorneys will prosecute. These activities will lower the number of cold cases with suspect DNA awaiting prosecution and bring justice to cold case victims’ families on Staten Island.