ABOUT THE MHS COLD CASE PROGRAM

The William Mason High School Cold Case Program is a select group of High School upperclassmen dedicated to re-evaluating cold cases and offering police new avenues to investigate. All students in the class went through an application process and had to pass a previous class with a curriculum that included units such as the behaviors of blood spatter, criminal psychology, and the effects of environmental factors on a corpse over time. Several students go on to pursue forensics, law, or STEM careers. We hope we can gain experience in those fields through this program.
   
A significant reason why cold cases tend to go unsolved is a lack of manpower and time. As new cases pile up, it’s inevitable that cases with less evidence and leads will fall under the radar. Time and money are two things that can lead to an increase in cold cases. As a solution, we’re volunteering our time as a way to relieve some of the stress that police are currently under. Not only will this benefit you, it will give students a chance to have early exposure to the criminal justice system and gain an appreciation for the hard work that goes into these cases.

 

Although our age would typically be seen as a deterrence, it can also be a benefit. Our age gives us a different perspective on cases compared to that of regular detectives. We have grown up during a time when technology was rapidly developing. This being said, we’re proficient in using social media and the internet to find credible information. 
 
We also understand the risks that come along with sharing information about unsolved criminal cases. To offer a solution, all of the students in the program will comply with signing a non-disclosure (149.43).  We want to ensure our dedication to you and these cases so that we are able to collaborate and assist each other. 
 
We aren't under the impression that we will be able to completely solve these cases. Our goal is to provide assistance to the police departments without causing disruptions to the current evidence they already have. We would appreciate the experience and education we can receive from police departments who welcome our program. The William Mason Cold Case Program thanks all who have helped us grow and hopefully continue to grow in educating students in the criminal justice field. 

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