There are more than 250,000 unsolved murders and disappearances in the United States, and amateur investigators want to help address them. However, navigating the techniques and risks when they are not from the law enforcement community can be challenging. For nearly a decade, the Cold Case Coalition has consistently proved that civilians can play an important role in tackling cold cases. With too many open cases and insufficient law enforcement resources, ordinary citizens can be instrumental in solving the unsolved.
This book explains how to use resources available to the public (court records, archives, criminal histories, and many others) and highlights the steps necessary for amateur investigators to help solve cold cases. Each chapter features stories of successes and lessons learned from members of the Cold Case Coalition, providing an honest and in-depth discussion of the many obstacles and processes involved in such investigations. This book can aid loved ones seeking answers, true crime researchers, podcasters, former law enforcement personnel, and readers from other occupations.