Questions answered in this file

Which items are often overlooked in old homicide evidence?

Ligatures, tape, tool or weapon grips, clothing seams and cuffs, fingernail scrapings, swabs, envelopes and cigarette ends are often worth asking about.

Can touch DNA be recovered from old items?

Sometimes, depending on collection, packaging, storage and later handling, though touch DNA results must be interpreted carefully because transfer is common.

Who holds fingernail scrapings from an autopsy?

Often the medical examiner rather than the police, so families should ask both whether such samples were retained.

Should old hair comparisons be revisited?

Older microscopic hair comparisons have faced major scientific criticism, so DNA testing of retained hairs may be worth considering.

How should a family request retesting of overlooked items?

Ask the agency specifically about collected categories, their survival and assessment, ideally through a formal cold case review.