In a bid to address the burden of unsolved crimes on victims, their families, and law enforcement agencies, Republican lawmaker Guy Reschenthaler from Pennsylvania is introducing the Cold Case Modernization Act. The bill aims to expand genealogy testing at the federal level for cold case victims, offering new avenues for solving long-standing mysteries.
Reschenthaler’s proposed legislation seeks to expand the Department of Justice’s grant funding criteria for forensic genealogy testing of unidentified human remains. The current lack of resources and technology has hindered the progress in resolving tens of thousands of cold cases across the United States. By leveraging state-of-the-art DNA technology, Reschenthaler’s bill aims to provide answers and closure for deceased Americans and their grieving families.
The Cold Case Modernization Act would enable any DOJ grant awarded to states and local governments for forensic genetic genealogy to be used for identifying unidentified human remains, regardless of whether the manner of death is determined to be a homicide. This expansion would cover victims whose causes of death remain undetermined, offering hope for families seeking answers.
The introduction of this bill comes at a time when the United States is witnessing a surge in crime rates, including in the nation’s capital. In response to alarming incidents, the Senate has issued warnings to lawmakers and Capitol Hill staffers, urging them to take precautions to reduce the risk of carjackings. The bulletin provided safety tips such as keeping doors locked, not stopping to assist strangers with broken-down cars, and promptly contacting the police from a safe location.
With the Cold Case Modernization Act, Reschenthaler aims to address the pressing issue of unsolved crimes and provide support to law enforcement agencies in their pursuit of justice. By expanding the use of forensic genealogy testing, the bill offers renewed hope for victims’ families and underscores the importance of leveraging advanced DNA technology in solving cold cases.
As America grapples with increasing crime rates, it is essential to explore innovative approaches to tackle unsolved cases. Reschenthaler’s bill represents a step forward in utilizing cutting-edge technology to shed light on long-standing mysteries and bring closure to those affected by them.
