Cold Case Research Resources for Unidentified, Missing, and Cold Homicide Cases

Silvia Pettem author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:31st Mar '21

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Cold Case Research Resources for Unidentified, Missing, and Cold Homicide Cases cover

Cases in which all investigative leads appear to be exhausted are frustrating for both investigators and victims’ families. Cold cases can range from those only a few months old to others that go back for decades. Presenting profiles and actual case histories, Cold Case Research: Resources for Unidentified, Missing and Cold Homicide Cases illustrates how investigators can successfully apply resources that will enable them to reopen and solve cases gathering dust in the file room.

Today’s investigators have found that, to solve cold cases, they need to be internet savvy and make the best use of the rapidly changing methodologies of the twenty-first century, but they also have to be time travelers and open the door to the past. This volume weaves together the nearly forgotten skill sets of traditional historical researchers with the latest online tools, including TLO, a premier investigative system; and NamUs, the revolutionary database for missing persons and unidentified remains. Along with practical applications, Cold Case Research gives investigators the tools they need to save time and money and to jump-start their cold cases, while keeping others from going cold in the future.

Topics discussed include:



  • Implementing cold case units


  • People searches and working with databases


  • Overlooked DNA in PKU cards


  • The plight of the missing and unknown


  • Applying historical and geographical context


  • Online and off-line newspaper research


  • Public and published records


  • The use of volunteers


  • Contact with co-victims


  • Cold-case review teams and information-sharing resources


  • Taking advantage of the media

Using a thinking-outside-the-box approach, this volume helps fill major gaps in traditional cold case investigation training and techniques, enabling investigators to confidently reopen and crack the mystery of cases long thought unsolvable.

Silvia Pettem was quoted in a January 29, 2012 article on missing persons in the Colorado Springs Gazette.

"Revolutionary. Reads like a page-turner yet will educate even the most experienced investigator—cold case or otherwise."
—Richard H. Walton, Ed.D., author of Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigative Techniques

"For the investigator, Pettem’s work will undoubtedly jump-start many a stalled investigation and keep others moving forward. For cold case unit managers, it opens up a world of new opportunities––the opportunity to expand the capacities of their units, take advantage of free resources, and to institute changes that address the outdated attitudes, policies, and procedures that, in the past, prevented some cases from being solved. At the same time, Cold Case Research promises to keep others from going cold in the future."
—From the Foreword by Detective James Trainum, Metropolitan Police Department (Retired), Washington, D.C.

"WOW! The book reflects the compassion of the author - smart and fascinating! This is the "textbook" for missing, unidentified and homicide investigations. A valuable addition to any investigating agency's library as a resource and training tool. A wise and informative guide for advocates and volunteer organizations. Well done!"
—Todd Matthews, Media Relations /DoeNetwork.org & Communications and Outreach Manager for NamUs @ UNTHSC

"The literature on cold case investigations tends to fall into two genres; practical resources for cold case investigators or true crime public interest books dramatically depicting unsolved murders for an interested public. While this book falls firmly into the former category, designed to be a useful resource for cold case detectives, it nevertheless also manages to successfully straddle the latter camp, by providing interesting case study examples of cold case investigations and investigations into missing persons and the unidentified dead. It is this mix of practical resources and vivid case study examples that sets this book apart from other similar texts."
—Cheryl Allsop, Lecturer of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Glamorgan


"Revolutionary. Reads like a page-turner yet will educate even the most experienced investigator—cold case or otherwise."
—Richard H. Walton, Ed.D., author of Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigative Techniques

"For the investigator, Pettem’s work will undoubtedly jump-start many a stalled investigation and keep others moving forward. For cold case unit managers, it opens up a world of new opportunities––the opportunity to expand the capacities of their units, take advantage of free resources, and to institute changes that address the outdated attitudes, policies, and procedures that, in the past, prevented some cases from being solved. At the same time, Cold Case Research promises to keep others from going cold in the future."
—From the Foreword by Detective James Trainum, Metropolitan Police Department (Retired), Washington, D.C.

"WOW! The book reflects the compassion of the author - smart and fascinating! This is the "textbook" for missing, unidentified and homicide investigations. A valuable addition to any investigating agency's library as a resource and training tool. A wise and informative guide for advocates and volunteer organizations. Well done!"
—Todd Matthews, Media Relations /DoeNetwork.org & Communications and Outreach Manager for NamUs @ UNTHSC

"The literature on cold case investigations tends to fall into two genres; practical resources for cold case investigators or true crime public interest books dramatically depicting unsolved murders for an interested public. While this book falls firmly into the former category, designed to be a useful resource for cold case detectives, it nevertheless also manages to successfully straddle the latter camp, by providing interesting case study examples of cold case investigations and investigations into missing persons and the unidentified dead. It is this mix of practical resources and vivid case study examples that sets this book apart from other similar texts."
—Cheryl Allsop, Lecturer of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Glamorgan

ISBN: 9780367778538

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 476g

333 pages