Evidence Retention Policies

Storing Biological Evidence From Unsolved Cases

Many agencies have historically lacked the resources to test unsolved cases; however, in 2005 the National Institute of Justice began a grant program, “Solving Cold Cases With DNA,” which provided millions of dollars towards this effort.⁷ DNA profiles developed from these cases can be entered into CODIS in an effort to obtain hits and potential investigative leads. Many agencies still have cold cases that have not been analyzed.^8,9 It is imperative that the evidence in these cases be retained for future evaluation to determine if DNA analysis may assist in providing investigative leads.¹⁰

The National Institute of Justice, the research arm of the Justice Department, is funding the development of consistent guidelines for evidence retention across the country. The work, organized by the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, is expected to be complete by 2012, says Melissa Taylor, an analyst in the Institute’s Law Enforcement Standards Office.¹¹

⁷ The President’s DNA Initiative, Solving Cold Cases With DNA »
⁸ Arizona: Cold Case Task Force: A Report to the Governor and the Arizona State Legislature PDF download: 404kB • Visit the Arizona Attorney General Law Enforcement Publications »
⁹ Colorado Cold Case Task Force »
¹⁰ DNA Laws Database, State Biological Evidence Retention Statutes PDF download: 692kB • Visit the National Conference of State Legislatures »
¹¹ USA Today Storage of DNA Evidence Crucial to Exonerations »