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.

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

• Jurisdictions may submit more than one case. 

• We must receive your case submission no later than September 2, 2022.