Law & Order: Cold Case

Law & Order: Cold Case is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, adapted as a spin-off of the successful crime drama Law & Order.

Set in New York City, New York, the series follows the investigation and prosecution of dormant, unsolved homicides that occurred years or even decades ago. An episode follows a two-part approach: When a "cold case" investigation is reopened, the victims are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the New York City Police Department, who investigate the crime, and the New York County Manhattan District Attorney's Office, who conduct the people's case in the trial. In every episode, the first half hour focuses on the investigation by the detectives of the Fugitive Enforcement Division's Cold Case Squad, followed by the second half the of episode focusing on the prosecution of the offenders by the assistant district attorneys.

In the style of the original Law & Order, episodes are often "ripped from the headlines" or loosely based on a real crime that received media attention.

Investigating the crimes are Detective Brooke Ferraro, a seasoned veteran who has seen it all, his partner Detective Joel McMichael, who has recently transferred to the Cold Case Squad from the Warrants Section, who both report to their boss Lieutenant Alberto Salazar. It is their job to investigate the crime, collect evidence, interview witnesses and then, when the evidence points to a suspect or suspects, place the suspect(s) under arrest. The matter is then taken over by executive assistant district attorney Natalie Schaeffer with support from her assistant prosecutor Kevin Dalton, who both work under the watchful eye of District Attorney Paul Kaminski. Together Schaeffer and Dalton discuss deals, prepare the witnesses and evidence and conduct the people's case in the trial.

These cops and prosecutors are challenged with unusual circumstances law enforcement, such as interrogating witnesses to old crimes whose lives and circumstances have since changed, making use of today's science and finding fresh clues to cases once thought to be unsolvable. At the same time, they are prepared for certain consequences, namely that their work will open old wounds and may lead suspects to commit new crimes.

Both teams work with the Coroner's Office, Crime Lab and psychiatrists from both the police department and DA's office.