Eligibility Criteria

• The case must be a “cold hit” case where the criminal suspect was identified due to a match in the database where DNA from an unsolved crime scene was matched to a previously unidentified suspect in the database.  Familial searching hits will be accepted, as well as hits that utilized private genealogy websites.

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• A missing persons case where a missing person was identified using a DNA database match will also be accepted.

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• The cold hit must have occurred in the past 72 months.

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• A case must have received community-wide attention, had significant public safety impact, or had other circumstances making the case unique.

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• Cases that were submitted during a previous Hit of the Year call for submissions will not be eligible.

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• Jurisdictions may submit more than one case. 

• We must receive your case submission no later than October 7, 2022.