KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — WMU’s hot new Cold Case Program, which has received quite a bit of national attention, got the spotlight at the university’s most recent Meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Ashlyn Kuersten, a Professor in the Political Science Department came up with the idea after talking with a State Police Detective, and hearing about the need for research assistance to crack unsolved crimes.
She says she has had no problem finding students who are interested.
Given some success, the program has been featured on several national news programs, and she says others are interested, because “it’s like a true-life Scooby Doo Crew.”
“I’ve been in discussions with Netflix and HBO Max about doing a series. We’re starting a 10 part podcast with CrimeCon and the Paula Zahn Show,” said Kuresten who says despite its success and high-profile, funding the unique program has been a challenge. And she says if she can’t score a grant or find some other benefactor, it could be curtailed next spring.
She says there are about a quarter-million cold cases waiting to be solved in the U.S. with 6,000 more added every year, leaving no shortage of work to be done.
She says the students come from several different disciplines at the University, and that they have tapped into a wide-ranging variety of on-campus resources, everything from I.T. experts to Librarians to a specialist in Ground Penetrating Radar.
Reporting by: John McNeill
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