In February 2007, the FBI officially launched a new investigative effort called the Civil Rights-Era Cold Case Initiative, which was tasked with taking a fresh look at racially-motivated homicide investigations that occurred prior to 1970. Since then, over 100 cold cases have been identified for this initiative.
In an effort to bring attention to these important investigations, critically-acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Keith Beauchamp, the host of Investigation Discovery's The Injustice Files, combs through records; interviews family members, witnesses and investigators; and pieces together the known facts of each case. He attempts to interview potential suspects and individuals who may know who was responsible for these murders, sometimes confronting them in their driveways after attempts to contact them for interviews prove unsuccessful.
Cynthia Deitle, Unit Chief for the Civil Rights Unit of the FBI, is interviewed throughout the show and she provides context to the ongoing efforts the FBI has dedicated to bringing closure to cases included in the Civil Rights-Era Cold Case Initiative. As Beauchamp explores the stories behind these horrific crimes, Unit Chief Deitle hopes the additional attention for these cases might provide new leads and witnesses willing to share information that may lead to finding who is ultimately responsible. Time has passed, witnesses have disappeared and memories have faded, but Beauchamp's efforts are developing new opportunities for justice to be served.
