                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

COLD CASE SEARCHABLE DATABASE ESTABLISHED (§ 52-34.16)

A. As used in this section, &#8220;cold case&#8221; means an investigation into
a homicide, missing person, or unidentified person case that has remained
unsolved for at least five years after the crime occurred, the person went
missing, or the unidentified body was found, whichever occurred last.

B. The Superintendent of State Police shall establish and maintain a searchable
electronic database of cold cases to assist law-enforcement agencies in the
development of information leading to the identification and arrest of persons
who may have committed the crimes or to persons who may have relevant
information to solve the case. Such database shall be available to the public
through the Department of State Police official website.

C. The searchable electronic database shall include (i) the category of cold
case and, in the case of a homicide or missing person, the name of the victim or
missing person, unless disclosure is prohibited or restricted by &#xA7;
19.2-11.2; (ii) the location where the crime was committed, where the person was
last seen, or where the body was found, if known; (iii) the date and time the
crime occurred, the person was last seen, or the body was found, if known; (iv)
the name and contact information of the investigating law-enforcement agency;
(v) a brief summary of the crime or case; and (vi) any other information that
the investigating law-enforcement agency determines is appropriate. The
Department of State Police and submitting law-enforcement agencies shall have
the discretion to withhold such information, in whole or in part, from the
database (a) as they deem necessary for investigative purposes, protection of
privacy, or any other lawful reason or (b) upon request of the victim&#8217;s or
missing person&#8217;s next of kin.

HISTORY: 2020, c. 1127, § 52-34.13.