On Nov. 1, a new Oklahoma law—Senate Bill 1636—took effect, giving families of cold‑case victims a statutory way to request an independent review of their loved one’s case. The measure, championed by state lawmakers and victim‑advocacy groups, requires law‑enforcement agencies to acknowledge a request in writing within 30 days and to complete the review within six months.
Under the bill, families can ask investigators who have never worked on the case to conduct the review, providing a fresh set of eyes and the possibility of new forensic analysis. “The biggest thing I think we need to talk about is that there needs to be a DNA review time period for cases,” said Amanda Newland‑Hale, founder and director of investigative research with Oklahoma Cold Cases. She added that DNA that has not been examined in five years should be re‑tested using the latest technology.
Advocates say the law fills a long‑standing gap. “Families now have a voice. Many of us, many in this group, have had these conversations in silence where we have no recourse if they say no or we can’t do that,” said Dr. Maggie Zingman, mother of Brittany Phillips, whose murder remains unsolved after 22 years. Susan Deviney, whose daughter Sheila was murdered 23 years ago, echoed the sentiment, noting that families have often been left waiting for answers with no formal mechanism to request further investigation.
State Sen. Carri Hicks highlighted the bill’s intent to standardize the request process, noting that before the legislation there was “no standardized way in which families can make that request.” Dorian Quillen, a cold‑case advocate, said the law was not “just good‑sounding words” but a concrete step toward resolving cases.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) reports 463 open cold cases, while its own database lists 460 unsolved cases that the agency was asked to assist with. The Oklahoma City Police Department also acknowledges “hundreds of cold cases” in its jurisdiction. Both agencies said advances in technology, forensic testing, and new leads could help each case, though they noted the need for clear guidelines on DNA re‑examination.
Lawmakers are also considering the creation of a statewide advisory and accountability board to oversee compliance with the new requirements and to ensure agencies follow the 30‑day acknowledgment and six‑month review timelines.
What’s next: Families can begin submitting formal requests now, using the process outlined by the OSBI. State officials plan to issue detailed guidance in the coming weeks, and the proposed advisory board is expected to convene later this year to monitor implementation and address any procedural gaps.
