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Frequently asked questions

What is a civil rights cold case record?

During the civil rights era, thousands of racially-motivated crimes and other civil rights violations went unsolved and unpunished. But that doesn’t mean these incidents weren’t investigated. In many cases, local, state, and/or federal authorities examined evidence, conducted interviews, and compiled detailed investigations into these crimes and violations. The case files from these investigations and related government records are considered civil rights cold case records.

Who created these records?

These records were produced primarily by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), but records have also been located in War Department and Department of Defense files, court proceedings, and documents created by other federal and independent agencies. Most records are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which identifies, protects, preserves, and makes publicly available the historically valuable records of all three branches of the federal government. Local jurisdictions may have created records, as well, but it’s possible that over the years those records were destroyed or lost.

What is the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act?

The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 (the Act) established a board of private citizens (the Board) appointed by the President. The Board’s primary role is to expedite the review and public release of records of civil rights cold cases that occurred between January 1, 1940 and December 31, 1979, so that family members, researchers, students, and the public at large can have more clarity about racially-motivated crimes and other civil rights violations that occurred long ago.

Are there any restrictions on what records the Board is allowed to release?

The Act restricts disclosing information that could pose a national security risk, invade personal privacy, or interfere with current and ongoing law enforcement proceedings. Some records are “released in full,” meaning every word of the record is visible. Other records contain redactions — the obscuring of personal or sensitive information. The Act requires that redacted information be regularly reviewed to determine whether the passage of time has made it permissible to release additional information. So information that is currently redacted will one day be released when it no longer falls under a protected status.

The Act grants authority to the Board to access government records related to civil rights cold cases and decide what information in the records should be released to the public. The Board is also empowered with the authority to issue subpoenas, if necessary.

How many civil rights cold cases are there?

No one knows for sure, but it’s likely that the number of unresolved cold cases spanning the time period of 1940 to 1979 is in the hundreds, and perhaps the thousands.

With so many cases, how does the Board determine which cases it will examine first?

The Board takes into account many factors in determining which cases it wants to examine for potential release. Among those factors are geographic location, the date the incident occurred, the nature of the incident, and expected public interest in the case. Not all civil rights cold cases involve homicides. Cold cases can also include such violations as assault, kidnapping, or other egregious acts of violence. Given its statutory time constraints, the Board is focused on prioritizing cases that are representative of the diverse nature of civil rights cold cases. Currently, the Board is required to terminate its work no later than January, 2027.

Where will the cold case records be located?

The records released by the Board are part of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection at the National Archives. You can view the case files in the National Archives Catalog.

Will anything happen now to provide justice to the victims or family members?

The Act directs NARA and other federal agencies to make records available through a single portal to facilitate public access. If reviewing this material results in any new information or conclusions, we encourage individuals to contact the Department of Justice at Coldcase.Civilrights@usdoj.gov, 202-514-3847, or (TTY) 202-514-0716.

Is the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act connected to the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act?

The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, signed into law in 2008 and reauthorized in 2016, directed the DOJ and FBI to examine unsolved cold cases that might be ripe for re-investigation. As of Jan. 24, 2024, a total of 138 cases have been re-opened. You can view the status of the cases here. Whereas the Till Act is focused on re-investigation of cases, the mandate of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act is the release of records related to investigations and not the re-opening of cases.

By releasing these records, does that mean the case is now re-opened?

No. The Board does not investigate cases. Any decision to re-open a case lies with law enforcement officials.

How can I notify the Board of additional cold cases in my community?

The Board can be reached at info@coldcaserecords.gov. Please provide information such as the name of the victim(s), the date and location of the incident, and any information that pertains to the civil rights crime. You may also contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and/or the Department of Justice (DOJ). In 2006, the FBI began its “Cold Case Initiative” — a comprehensive effort to identify and investigate decades-old, racially-motivated murders. You can contact your local FBI office or the national FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). If you or someone you know has information about a civil rights–era cold case, you can also contact the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division at Coldcase.Civilrights@usdoj.gov or by phone at 202-514-4609 and (TTY) 202-514-0716.

Who do I contact for more information?

For more information on the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act or about the records included, email coldcaserecordscollection@nara.gov.