Cold case investigations have become a central theme in true crime shows. Programs that focus on solving real, unsolved cases have grown tremendously in popularity over the past decade.
This is particularly true now, as advanced forensic technologies allow investigators to re-examine crime scene samples, even those that are old or compromised! Additionally, the digital age has made it easier to gather fresh leads from the public, who are often eager to help.
If you're in search of shows featuring expert narrations and detailed explanations that will keep you intrigued, here are some of the best true crime series that focus on solving cold cases!
Cold Case Files (1999- )

When it comes to revisiting files from the archives and documenting cases until they are solved, A&E’s Cold Case Files delivers episodes in a way that true crime enthusiasts appreciate. Hosted by Bill Kurtis, this documentary series features reenactments, testimonies from victims and witnesses, and court hearings. It primarily focuses on murder and sexual assault cases that often take years or even decades to solve.
Cold Case Files is not only popular among fans of the genre. Some of its episodes are also used by detectives-in-training because of the intricate reporting they provide. The series first aired in 1999 and now boasts nine seasons, along with a spin-off, Cold Case Files: DNA Speaks.
To Catch a Killer (2014)

To Catch a Killer follows a group of civilians who assist the police by offering fresh perspectives and high-tech solutions to homicide cases. Leading this group is Dr. Michael Andrew Arntfield, a cold case expert who focuses on studying unresolved investigations, which he applies to the cases featured on the show.
Each civilian contributes their expertise, as cold cases often require a range of skills. The team includes a psychotherapist, a biological anthropologist, and a private investigator, all of whom play vital roles in tackling these challenging cases.
To Catch a Killer aired eight one-hour episodes in 2014 on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) Canada and Real Crime Australia (formerly known as the Crime + Investigation channel) in Australia.
Solved (2008-2010)

A team of experts from various crime-solving fields is featured in Solved. First premiering on the Investigation Discovery channel, the show covers cases handled by law enforcement agencies, ranging from mysterious missing persons cases to violent murders. To give audiences a clearer understanding of the crime scenes and evidence, the show incorporates CGI environments.
This American true crime series was narrated by Kathleen Garrett and Dion Graham. It ran for three seasons, with a total of 32 episodes.
Unsolved Mysteries (1987 - )

Unsolved Mysteries is a true crime and mystery drama series that focuses on documenting cold cases while maintaining an air of intrigue. The show does not limit itself to matters supported by hard evidence. It also explores mysterious phenomena that go beyond what science can explain. Unsolved Mysteries popularity has, at times, contributed to solving real cases, as viewers have occasionally provided clues or identified missing persons featured in episodes.
Since its debut in 1987, the show has covered hundreds of mysteries across 17 seasons, along with special episodes and spin-offs. Similar to the cold cases it highlights, the series found new life when Netflix rebooted it in 2020.
Cold Justice (2013- )

The true crime series Cold Justice assists in the investigations of cases that have remained unresolved for days, years, or even decades. Led by prosecutor Kelly Siegler and a team of skilled investigators, the show stays true to its title by helping bring justice to victims. From securing arrests to obtaining guilty pleas and confessions from murderers, Cold Justice has made a tangible impact on real cases.
Now broadcast on Oxygen, the series originally premiered on TNT in 2013. Recently, it was announced that the series will return in 2025, marking its eighth season.
Disappeared (2009- )

Many true crime documentary series cover cases of missing persons, and one of their positive effects on society is raising awareness about the victims’ circumstances. Investigation Discovery’s Disappeared focuses exclusively on individuals who have either vanished under mysterious circumstances or are believed to have been abducted. Since these cases often bring immense anxiety and heartbreak to the victims’ loved ones, viewers follow their stories in the hope of witnessing reunions or positive outcomes.
Some of the cases featured on the show have been solved, while others remain open investigations as of the time the episodes were produced. Unlike its earlier seasons or other documentary-style series, the tenth season Disappeared emphasizes interviews, moving away from the typical reenactments and narrations.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark (2020)

The Golden State Killer is one of the cases that remained unsolved for decades. The terror that the suspect inflicted on California citizens from the 1970s to the 1980s is documented in the six-part docuseries I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.
Adapted from Michelle McNamara’s book, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer, the TV series explores how the author’s research played a crucial part in the capture of the suspect, Joseph James DeAngelo, who was convicted of numerous murders, rapes, and burglaries.
Forensic Files (1996 - 2011)

Forensic Files is a long-running, popular true crime series that reigned in the 1990s and dominated the field of crime-science documentaries, often featuring archived cases that were eventually resolved. The show covers a wide range of topics, including not only murder or missing persons cases, but also occasionally examines diseases that caused epidemics or unexplained ailments.
Originally known as Medical Detectives when it first premiered on TLC in 1996, Forensic Files ran for 14 seasons, narrated by the late Peter Thomas. Its revival, Forensic Files II, continues the legacy, now with Bill Camp as the narrator.
What’s the best true crime show that helped in solving cold cases for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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