Cold Case Murder Investigations

Families of cold case murder and homicide victims in Georgia may request that a case be reopened by the investigating party.

Cold Case Murder Investigations

The Coleman-Baker Act (O.C.G.A. 17-21-3) was enacted in 2023 to assist the families of cold case murder and homicide victims in Georgia. The act defines the circumstances under which law enforcement agencies are required to reopen cold case investigations.

Eligibility Requirements

• To be eligible for reinvestigation, a cold case would need to have occurred after January 1, 1970 and at least 3 years prior to submitting a reinvestigation application.
• The request must be made by a designated person as defined in the Coleman-Baker Act: An immediate family member or their designed legal representative who shall be a member in good standing with the Georgia State Bar. Immediate family member means a parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, sibling, child, or stepchild of a victim or any person who exercised in loco parentis control over victim under the age of 18 years.

Under the Coleman-Baker Act, the original investigating agency is responsible for reopening the cold case investigation.

EPD Investigations Request Process

• Please review our Coleman-Baker act policy.
• Complete the EPD Cold Case Request form.
• Email the form to police@emory.edu, Attention: Investigations Unit Lieutenant. You also can mail the form to Emory Police Department Attention: Investigations Unit Lieutenant, Atlanta Campus Precinct & Headquarters 1784 N. Decatur Rd. Suite G01, Atlanta, GA 30322.
• The Investigations Unit Lieutenant will respond in writing within 30 days of receiving the form.