- 1). Visit the police department responsible for solving the crime and make an appointment to speak with the detective in charge. Ask to speak with the specific cold case detective assigned to your case. Bring all of the information you have that is relevant to the case to the meeting If the victim isn't you, bring photographs and information about the victim. Tell the detective that you are interested in taking another look at the case and ask if he can help. Do not get discouraged if he tells you that he sees no reason to activate an investigation. If you can provide new information about the case, the police are required to investigate.
- 2). Determine that the police have used every new technology available to solve your case. Do not assume that the police have tested the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) evidence in your cold case just because DNA testing has become available since the case occurred. DNA testing can be very expensive and police departments are very busy with new cases. If there is DNA evidence in the case, insist that it is tested.
- 3). Hire a private investigator. Give the private investigator all the details of the case and explain that you would like to reopen the case and solve it. The private investigator will communicate with the police and review all of the information available and then attempt to gather new relevant information. This investigation could involve interviewing witnesses or suspects, reevaluating old evidence or visiting old locations.
- 4). Offer the public a significant private reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in your case. You may discover that someone knows more about your cold case than you originally believed. You also may attract the attention of a witness whom the police never thought to interview when initially investigating your case.
- 5). Contact local newspapers and news stations and explain your case and your interest in reopening it. While your case may not necessarily be breaking news, it may have a human interest quality that attracts a journalist's attention. The more publicity your case can get, the better the chances are of finding someone who has information that can help solve it.
- 6). Hire a lawyer to represent you if you feel that the police are not pursuing relevant leads or evaluating new information you present to them about your case. You may find that once you have legal representation, the police become more interested in solving your cold case.
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