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Dept. of Justice grant would give Maine law enforcement new resources in tackling nearly 100 cold cases

Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder today in support of Maine’s grant application for federal funding from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Solving Cold Cases With DNA program. The federal funding would allow Maine to launch a homicide squad dedicated to investigating and solving thestate’s cold cases. Last month, Michaud announced he was working with Maine Attorney General Janet Mills to secure the funding.

“Bringing closure to the cold cases in our state is important for surviving family members, and it’s important because it’s how our justice system is meant to operate,” said Michaud. “No one who is murdered or missing deserves to simply be forgotten by the passage of time. I will continue to do everything in my power to secure this funding so that Maine law enforcement officials can undertake this very important work.”

"Budgets in Maine are tight and federal funding for this important work is critical. Congressman Michaud and I are working hard to secure this funding for Maine," Pingree said.

Last month, the DOJ’s National Institute of Justice announced it was accepting applications for a new grant that would make available up to $300,000 in federal funding for a variety of activities that would support the cold case unit, including DNA and forensic biology; forensic crime scene analysis and anthropology; finger printing; shoeprint and tire tread examination; review of questioned documents; trace evidence; andforensic toxicology. The grant also could provide funding for the unit’s staff.