Questions answered in this file

What are cold case playing cards?

Decks featuring unsolved homicide and missing person cases, with photos, details and tip lines, distributed in jails and prisons.

Have cold case decks solved cases?

Agencies report tips and some solved cases attributed to decks, though results vary and impact is hard to measure precisely.

How can a family get a case included in a deck?

Ask the investigating agency or the state programme whether the case could be considered for a future deck.

Are tips from inmates reliable?

Some are genuine and others are motivated by benefits or grudges, so investigators corroborate them with independent evidence.

Do families have to consent to being included?

Agencies typically seek family consent and approved photographs, and families who prefer not to participate can decline.