More than half of the country’s murder cases have been cleared but the Center for Human Identification says there are 12,000 sets of unidentified human remains.
A group of Tulsa investigators wants to clear cases and identify victims.
Current and former Tulsa homicide investigators founded the International Association of Cold Case Investigators (IACCI). It’s a non-profit organization founded and headquarterd in Tulsa in 2006 to bring together an international coalition of cold case homicide investigators. The IACCI says it will also help support organizations and survivors of victims to better serve their communities by providing new methodologies, new technologies and training.
The IACCI is affliated with national groups forensic groups including the University of North Texas Cener for Human Identification and the National Center For Victims of Crime.
The organization says it will not focus on specific cold cases but share information and tools with national and international law enforcement, medical, forensic sciences, legal, survivor and educational entities involved in cold case investigations.
FOX23’s Abbie Alford explains the importance of the organization who will be working with worldwide professionals.
More than 300 people are reported missing every year in Tulsa and detectives say 80 percent of those cases are solved.
But detectives say the remaining 20 percent don’t actually go “cold.”
"You know it's there on the back of the stove, that's a metaphor. It's still on your mind and it's still maybe a hot case or cold case. It hasn't been cleared so it's still a workable case," says former TPD Chief Harry Stege.
Tulsa Police Homicide Sgt. Mike Huff says the idea of the IACCI started in 2002 when a 1975 homicide case was cleared in 2002 with the help of a southern California detective.
Huff says the detective connected information about the homicide that TPD posted on its website with information he had about a suspect.
Huff says the organzation will be working with forensic scientists, law enforcement and prosecutors about unsolved cases. Something that has not been done before.
"It's a one stop shop for everything cold case," says Huff.
Angie Pitts’ sister, Tina disappeared three years ago this month.
"With the homicide and the missing people it's letting me them know that we need you too," says Pitts.
Pitts believes her sister’s killer is in prison. Huff says Department of Corrections could be a key resource to connect the dots.
"They're resources and information on who has killed people, who talks about killing people in jail. Currently they struggle to get that information to the right source," says Huff.
The squad is also working on a database in hopes of tracking potential serial killers nationwide.
"Pair timeframes with killers, when they are working, geographically areas and pair that with the remains with unidentified victims and missing people in a holistic manner," says Huff.
Pitts says although her sister hasn’t been found the squad who is working worldwide is giving her a relief.
"I believe it is going to help a lot of people. I believe we are going to find my sister. I really, do. I really, really do," says Pitts.
DNA evidence and research will also be a big part in the organizations efforts.
Huff says working across the globe will help because other countries are way ahead in DNA research than the U.S.
If you have any information about a cold case call Crime Stoppers at (918) 596-COPS (2677) or text a tip to “CRIMES” (274637) and begin your message with “TIP918” or you can submit a tip online at www.tipsubmit.com. Remember you never have to give your name and your tip could lead to a cash reward.
The IACCI is working to launch a website to better connect with people.
The IACCI conference runs through Friday with national guest speakers at OSU-Tulsa Auditorium. The cost for registration is $65.00. For more information call Harry Stege at (918) 409-5026.
