CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia State Police have announced the formation of the West Virginia State Police Violent Crime Task Force (VCTF), a new initiative aimed at investigating and prosecuting violent crimes and cold cases across the state.
The VCTF is a collaborative effort between the West Virginia State Police, the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The task force will work alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as forensic experts and intelligence analysts, to address the growing number of unsolved cases.
Recognizing the need for a statewide approach to violent crime and cold case investigations, the VCTF will coordinate with the WVSP Forensic Laboratory, Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Coordinators and Investigators, and the West Virginia Intelligence Exchange (WVIX). A key focus will be leveraging results from the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in collaboration with forensic experts to advance investigations.
The task force operates as a joint effort, with all participating agencies acting as partners. However, the West Virginia State Police will oversee the chain of command and general direction of the VCTF, ensuring coordinated and efficient investigations.
State officials emphasize that the creation of the VCTF marks a significant step in addressing violent crime and providing justice for victims of unsolved cases.
