Since 1990, there have been over 220,000 unsolved murders in America. The FBI estimates only 59.4 percent of murders were solved in 2016. The national clearance rate for murders is just over 60 percent and has dropped significantly since 1965 when the national clearance rate was over 90 percent. Cold cases can be solved but they require significant resources and manpower. Many investigators lack the necessary resources and manpower to properly investigate cold cases. Rising caseloads and competing priorities further limit investigators from focusing on cold cases. The hope is to help fill this gap and enable investigators to focus and work on cold cases with the proper resources and training.

The Carolinas Cold Case Coalition is a non-profit, volunteer based organization comprised of retired local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, who have extensive backgrounds and experience with death investigations and violent crimes. The coalition members provide case consultations, case reviews, evaluations, advice, and suggestions free of charge to law enforcement practitioners working cold cases and unsolved violent crimes. Coalition members also provide cold case training and investigative support.

Quarterly case reviews are conducted in Winston-Salem, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC where law enforcement practitioners meet with coalition members and present their cases for investigative ideas and suggestions. Coalition members conduct case reviews throughout the year at our office in Colfax, NC. Agencies desiring assistance and/or wanting to participate in a quarterly case review should contact coalition staff at 336-701-6233.