The office of the rhode island attorney generals office (riag) proposes to implement the closure project

The U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded a $500,000 Project Grant under the Comprehensive Forensic DNA Analysis Grant Program (CFDA 16.036) to the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office (RIAG). The grant will support RIAG's "Closure Project" to solve cold cases using enhanced DNA analysis and familial DNA searching capabilities. Key activities include inventorying cold cases, reviewing and selecting cases for further investigation, increasing the state's DNA analysis and search capacities, strengthening interagency partnerships, developing policies and procedures, improving community relations, and providing resources to survivors of cold cases. The project will be implemented from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

The purpose is to solve (or close) identified cold cases using DNA analysis and searches, specifically familial searches. The projects activities include: inventorying cold cases; reviewing and selecting cases that have a developed DNA suspect profile, whether known or unknown, for further investigation using enhanced DNA capabilities resulting in prosecution; increasing the states DNA analysis and search capacities; strengthening interagency partnerships; developing policies, procedures, and processes as IT relates to the use of new DNA analysis and search capabilities; improving community relations within riag and US department of justice priority areas; and providing additional resources to survivors of cold cases.