Overview#
In 1998, a homicide investigation stalled because the DNA technology available at the time could not generate a profile from the evidence collected. The case went cold. In 2024, forensic genealogy can identify a suspect through distant relatives in commercial DNA databases, low-template DNA analysis can work with biological material that would have been unusable two decades ago, and AI pattern matching can link that case to three others in neighbouring counties that investigators from different forces never connected.
Cold cases are not dead cases. They are cases waiting for the right combination of new technology, new information, and structured reinvestigation. Argus Cold Case Intelligence provides unsolved case reinvestigation capabilities for law enforcement agencies, district attorney cold case units, and investigative organisations applying modern forensic technology, advanced DNA analysis, and artificial intelligence to cases that have gone cold.
Open Standards#
- POLE (Person, Object, Location, Event) data model: Entity extraction and cross-case linking use the UK National Intelligence Model POLE framework to map persons, objects, locations, and events across multi-jurisdictional cold case records.
- FBI CJIS Security Policy: Access controls, audit logging, and data sensitivity classification for case records and evidence follow CJIS Policy requirements, ensuring that restricted investigative material is handled under appropriate clearance rules.
- 28 CFR Part 23: Criminal intelligence information shared across agencies attaches source-reliability and content-validity ratings per this US federal regulation, covering both cold case intelligence submissions and inter-agency data requests.
- ISO 19005 (PDF/A): Court-ready export packages are generated as ISO 19005-conformant archival PDFs (variants 1B through 4f), providing long-term reproducibility and satisfying evidentiary admissibility requirements.
- RFC 3161 (Trusted Timestamping): Export documents and disclosure bundles receive cryptographic timestamps from a trusted timestamping authority under RFC 3161, anchoring the time at which evidence packages were finalised for court submission.
- EDRM (Electronic Discovery Reference Model) XML: Case exports can be produced in EDRM 1.2 XML format, enabling interoperability with eDiscovery review platforms used by prosecutors and defence teams.
- OASIS STIX 2.1: Analytical findings and pattern-matching results can be exported as STIX 2.1 bundles, allowing structured threat and offender intelligence to be shared with other law enforcement systems that consume STIX feeds.
- CMS/PKCS#7 (RFC 5652): Digital signatures applied to court-ready export packages and disclosure bundles use Cryptographic Message Syntax, providing a verifiable chain of authenticity from evidence collection to courtroom presentation.
Last Reviewed: 2026-02-05 Last Updated: 2026-04-14
Key Features#
Advanced DNA Re-Analysis#
Forensic genealogy, familial DNA searching, and touch DNA analysis using modern sensitivity thresholds applied to decades-old evidence. Coordination with commercial DNA databases and forensic laboratories to identify suspects through genetic connections. Evidence submission workflows maintain chain of custody while applying new testing methods to historical material.
AI Case Pattern Recognition#
Machine learning algorithms identify connections across cold cases, recent crimes, and unsolved patterns. Similarities in modus operandi, victimology, geographic patterns, and forensic evidence that may link cases across time and jurisdiction are surfaced for investigator review. A serial offender who was active across three decades and four counties becomes visible only when those cases are analysed together.
Forensic Technology Application#
Apply modern forensic capabilities to historical evidence including enhanced fingerprint analysis using advanced processing techniques on previously examined evidence, digital forensics on recovered media, and physical evidence reanalysis with current methods. The platform tracks what has been tested, what results were obtained, and what further testing options remain.
Witness Re-Interview Management#
Cognitive interviewing techniques, timeline reconstruction, and memory enhancement protocols for re-engaging witnesses years or decades after original events. Track witness availability, interview scheduling, and statement comparison with original records. Changes between statements, new detail surfaced through cognitive interview, and corroboration from other sources are all documented.
Multi-Jurisdictional Case Linking#
Identify serial offenders and crime patterns across agency boundaries. Cross-reference unsolved cases from multiple jurisdictions to detect patterns invisible within single-agency databases. POLE entity mapping across cold cases surfaces person, organisation, location, object, and event connections that span the full case history.
Evidence Chain of Custody#
Maintain legal integrity while applying new testing methods to decades-old evidence. Document evidence handling, testing requests, and results within defensible chain of custody frameworks. Every action taken on original evidence is recorded with the date, the purpose, and the result.
Use Cases#
- Cold Case Homicide Investigation: Systematic reinvestigation of unsolved murders using forensic genealogy, DNA reanalysis, and modern forensic techniques to identify suspects and build prosecution packages.
- Serial Offender Identification: Link unsolved cases across jurisdictions through AI pattern matching and forensic evidence correlation to identify serial offenders active over long periods.
- Missing Persons: Re-examine missing persons cases with modern investigative tools, including genetic genealogy for unidentified remains identification.
- Sexual Assault Kit Analysis: Process and analyse backlogged sexual assault evidence kits with modern DNA technology and cross-case matching.
Integration#
Connects with forensic laboratory systems, DNA databases, fingerprint identification systems, and multi-jurisdictional case sharing platforms. Integrates with evidence management systems for chain of custody continuity across decades-old cases.