Cold Case Project | Technology advancements help cold cases

AIKEN, SC (WJBF) – We talk with many people of the murdered and lacking about the prolonged hold out for justice.  But legislation enforcement officials now have new applications and technology they can implement to investigations with an older date to solve these sophisticated instances.  

No matter when tragedy hits a loved ones, getting facts on the murdered and missing can be hard.  But when people today talk, even if it is anonymously, it could be the split law enforcement demands.  

“That just one tip. That a person lead. Whether it be some information they listen to or a name could open up a good deal of doors to where by we can use some of this technologies,”  Det. Jason Griffin with Aiken Division of Community Safety told us.

Breakthroughs designed in the technological earth aid investigators solve chilly cases additional and extra each individual day. So, Cold Case Task sat down with Det. Griffin in Aiken to see how it all performs.  

“We have the means, below at community protection, to acquire a mobile cellphone or pill or an iPad.  If we had been to produce a suspect and basically do a forensic extraction of that product to see if any information that may be on the telephone can be employed to help resolve the case,” he described.

When they have the suspect’s gadget, the information is limitless.  

“Load the area of the prospective suspect or particular person of interest. It can reveal information facts. Which is generally communications with other men and women by way of textual content information or cell phone calls,” he claimed.  “Most moments when you take a photo or a online video on your cellular phone there is properties connected to it that are time stamped.” 

Whilst some chilly scenarios have an older day, they under no circumstances close. Det. Griffin said statements and proof get reviewed to see if newer technological innovation can be utilized.  From time to time, witnesses are even reinterviewed far too.  

“When you method a crime scene and you get fingerprints, first of all, you have to rule out the people who stay in the household. Ideally, what you have still left is a suspect,” Capt. Jimmy Wylds with Burke County Sheriff’s Office environment reported. “The hope is, individuals go into the AFIS procedure, and when persons are arrested about the state, their fingerprints are place into the system and if they match then bingo, you have one thing to go on.” 

AFIS stands for Automatic Fingerprint Identification Devices, a countrywide application that stems back again to the 1980s to assist establish criminals.

Together with fingerprints, DNA allows also. Evidence earlier gathered may well have blood, hair or skin cells that may well have been skipped. A process identified as CODIS or Combined DNA Index Method can enable match the suspect with the DNA.  

Det. Griffin extra, “You could can get evidence reran a next or 3rd time as more recent, DNA technologies arrive available.” 

Software program courses enable as properly. Det. Griffin mentioned Aiken Office of Community Safety also networks with other agencies collaborating on identical circumstances.  Other resources involve talking to witnesses once more.  

Capt. Wylds explained, “Something that beats technological know-how is any individual that transpire to see it, any individual that materialize to be there, any individual that listened to about it.” 

The GBI also employs technology with chilly cases way too. Reserve Agent Coordinator Chris Tolbert operates the Cold Situation Squad for GBI in Atlanta. He reported employing its headquarters and criminal offense lab, in Atlanta, technological know-how this kind of as fingerprint examination (IAFIS and AFIS), DNA or CODIS and a robust intelligence group that numerous neighborhood agencies do not have accessibility to all assist. They can check information on weapons, private info or anything that can track a man or woman. This can assistance tie a suspect to a crime. All of these tools are accessible for more compact companies to ask for GBI to use.

Know-how retains strengthening and probably, some of these up to date methods can be applied to your loved one’s scenario.  Bear in mind, it’s significant for you to examine in with investigators, retaining your information and facts up to date and keeping on leading of the standing of the situation.   

Subsequent time on the Chilly Scenario Task, we get you to Fairfax, South Carolina wherever Mar’quelle Thomas was shot at his Aiken Avenue residence on April 10, 2018. He was 22-several years-old. What household and law enforcement will need to get justice and near the case.