There are several unresolved homicide and missing person cases in Santa Fe, New Mexico, dating back to 1980. Many of these cases have not been closed despite progress in some over the past few years.
Santa Fe has 107 cold cases from the 1980s, as shown by information from the National Missing and Unidentified People System (NamUs). There are 59 missing person cases and 48 murder cases among these reports. There are people of various ages, both sexes, and different ethnicities involved in these cases, and many of them have been unsolved for decades.
Although resolving cold cases can be difficult and time-consuming, law enforcement in Santa Fe has developed a number of ways to meet this problem. Re-examining evidence from crime scenes with the help of cutting-edge forensic tools like DNA analysis is a common tactic. In recent years, tremendous advances have been made thanks to the development of new technologies that have helped law enforcement agencies identify suspects and bring them to justice.
Public outreach is another tactic that can be used to find new clues and information about the cases. This can involve engaging with community organizations and advocacy groups to spread the word about the incidents and encourage individuals to come forward with any information they may have as well as making public appeals through media outlets, social media, and other platforms.
To help families of missing individuals and homicide victims deal with their grief and keep their loved ones' cases in the public view, law enforcement authorities work closely with them. Throughout the investigative and judicial process, the families of missing persons and homicide victims are supported by the Santa Fe Police Department's Victim Services program.
Without tangible evidence or eyewitnesses, investigating cold cases can be extremely difficult. Since many of these instances were first investigated decades ago, progress may be slow if no new evidence or technology has emerged since then. Many plans have been established by the Santa Fe Police Department to deal with these issues.
One tactic is to re-interview previous interviewees, such as family members and witnesses, to determine whether they have any new information or if their memories have altered. Some potential witnesses may feel more at ease talking to police now than they did in the past.