Cold Cases

At K9 Search and Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc., we understand that time does not diminish the importance of bringing answers to families, investigators, and communities. Our Cold Case Team is dedicated to assisting law enforcement and agencies with unresolved missing persons cases by utilizing highly trained Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9s and proven search strategies.

Specialized in Cold Case Investigations

Cold cases present unique challenges—aging evidence, environmental changes, and limited leads. Our team is specifically trained to work these complex scenarios. We apply modern search techniques, updated behavioral data, and advanced K9 capabilities to areas that may have been previously searched or overlooked.

Forensic-Focused K9 Operations

Our HRD K9s are trained to detect the scent of human decomposition, both on the surface and buried, even after extended periods of time. These K9s are capable of locating historical remains in a variety of environments, including:

Wooded and wilderness areas

Rural and urban locations

Water edges and shoreline environments

Previously disturbed or developed land

Vehicles and Buildings/Houses

Each deployment is handled with a forensic mindset. We work carefully to preserve potential evidence and coordinate closely with requesting agencies to ensure all findings are properly documented and handled.

Professional & Mission-Driven

Our handlers and K9 teams train extensively to maintain operational readiness for cold case work. We understand the sensitivity of these cases and approach every search with professionalism, respect, and attention to detail. Our goal is simple: provide credible, reliable search results that can help move investigations forward.

Working Alongside Agencies

We are committed to supporting law enforcement, medical examiners, and investigative teams. Our role is to enhance ongoing efforts by offering specialized K9 resources and search expertise. We operate under the direction of the requesting agency and integrate seamlessly into established investigative operations.

Bringing Answers Home

Every cold case represents someone who is missing and a family still searching for closure. Our Cold Case Team exists to help provide those answers—no matter how much time has passed.

To request assistance or learn more about our Cold Case K9 services, please contact Us today 304-373-4134