Denver Police Department - Victim Assistance Unit

 

 

VAU Cold Case Victim & Family Services

"Cold Case" is a term used to describe unsolved or unresolved cases. A case goes "cold" when all investigative leads have been exhausted and have resulted in no identified suspect(s). With the recent developments in DNA technology, detectives are now able to reevaluate previously closed or inactive cases and identify new leads and investigative opportunities.  

 

Through the Criminal Investigations Division, the Crimes Against Persons Bureau of the Denver Police Department has created a Cold Case Investigations Unit where dedicated and experienced Detectives are assigned, full-time, to investigate unsolved cases of sexual assault and unresolved homicides that occurred in the City & County of Denver.  

 

The Victim Assistance Unit, in conjunction with the Cold Case Investigations Unit, has created a Cold Case Victim Program that employs a full-time Cold Case Program Coordinator.  Collectively, the Detectives, Command Staff, Crime Lab and VAU Cold Case Program Coordinator make up the Denver Police Department's Cold Case Unit.  This Unit also works closely with the Denver District Attorney's Office. 

 

The VAU Cold Case Program Coordinator works side-by-side with the Cold Case Detectives and serves as the primary point of contact for victims, co-victims and family members identified in unsolved sexual assaults and unresolved homicides.  She is on-call and available to respond to meet with victims and family members, to assist in the identification of resources and additional assistance as renewed activity begins in these cases.  She is also available as a point of contact for victims and families who would like updates and information in their cases for as long as they remain unsolved or unresolved. 

 

Currently, this is the only program of its kind in the nation.