About the Cold Case Analysis Center

How It Works

Aligning with the mission of The College of Saint Rose, the Cold Case Analysis Center (CCAC) provides training and experience to students interested in analyzing unsolved cases.

This training helps them form relationships with community agencies and contributes resources to local and state law enforcement agencies to help them address their cold case initiatives.

  1. The College of Saint Rose Cold Case Analysis Center provides education in forensic science and law, in addition to criminal investigation techniques drawn from psychology and criminology.
  2. In addition to assisting with cold case investigations, the CCAC student participants learn investigative skills and become better acquainted with the specific problems related to cold cases. This skillset allows the students to understand the challenges professionals like forensic psychologists, criminologists, criminal investigators, and forensic scientists face when working on these cases.

Centering on Community

Student participants at the Cold Case Analysis Center also see the human side of a cold case investigation by working with local nonprofit agencies on fundraisers to raise the capital needed to work on the cases.

A Nationwide Effort

Although the Cold Case Analysis Center is the only one of its kind in New York State, similar programs have been developed nationwide to connect law enforcement agencies and colleges and universities in Miami, Florida; Charlotte and Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Colorado Springs and Golden, Colorado.

Students at other universities have worked as interns within law enforcement agencies to assist with various investigative efforts, such as file review and case organization. They have also assisted agencies with addressing local cold case resolution initiatives, including developing digital video for cold case websites and cold case playing cards.

Current Upstate New York Cold Cases

The Cold Case Analysis Center interns are currently working on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases. Many of these cases stretch back decades. The interns focus on spreading awareness and keeping the victims’ stories alive while attempting to solve the crimes.

Download Guide 2023

Download Guide 2023

Download our guide to learn about our current cases, internships, and more.