Month/Year of Graduation

8-2025

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Department

Criminology and Criminal Justice

First Advisor

Kim Retzlaff

Abstract

According to the Murder Accountability Project and Federal Bureau of Investigations, “nearly 340,000 homicides and non-negligent manslaughter cases went unsolved in the U.S. from the year of 1965 to 2021 alone” (FBI; 2021). Hidden in the corners of the Justice System are endless cases that go unsolved, untouched or just too long forgotten these crimes carry no answers, no justice, and no closure. For decades, many of these cold cases have been on a shelf collecting dust stalled by the limits of old outdated technology, limited resources, and insufficient evidence. A new era of forensic science is evolving every day, allowing these cases to seek light and potentially their killers fate to justice. Through advances like DNA profiling and the groundbreaking use of forensic genetic genealogy, investigators are finally able to bring resolution to cases once deemed impossible. This research examines how these technologies are transforming cold case investigations, focusing both on well-known national case and local examples from surrounding towns of Grand Island. This study is especially important because it reveals how access to these types of tools varies across jurisdiction, with smaller or under-resourced areas and the unique challenges that they face. Using case study analysis and a comprehensive literature review, this project explores evolving investigative methods, existing barriers to technology adoption, and the ethical questions raised using genetic databases. More than a study of technology, this paper is about delivering justice long delayed, offering hope and closure to victims’ families and reshaping trust in the justice system.

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