Cuyahoga County's GOLD Unit solves decades-old rape cases

Cuyahoga County's GOLD Unit is using forensic genetic genealogy to solve cold rape cases, some over 30 years old. Since its launch in 2020, the unit has identified 16 offenders and solved 23 cases from 62 DNA profiles. Recently, seven more suspects were identified, including Kenneth Edmond, found guilty of raping two women over 20 years ago. The unit employs advanced DNA testing methods to build family trees and link suspects to cold cases. The GOLD Unit aims to expand its work to include cold-case homicides. Current federal funding limits its focus to sexual crimes, but the unit seeks to change societal views on rape victims and improve prosecution rates.