Questions answered in this file

How do I find out if evidence in my loved one's case still exists?

Write to the investigating agency asking whether evidence is retained, where it is stored and whether it has been tested.

Can I request evidence logs through public records law?

Sometimes. Property logs, destruction records and lab submission records may be available, though exemptions for open investigations vary by state.

Who else might hold evidence besides the police?

Medical examiners, state crime laboratories, court clerks and any agency that previously handled the case may hold samples or exhibits.

What if the evidence was destroyed?

Ask for the destruction record and policy applied, and whether lab notes, photographs, extracts or database profiles from earlier testing survive.

Can families request retesting of old evidence?

Families can ask in writing; agencies decide based on solvability, cost and lab capacity, sometimes using federal cold case grants.