Sherry Black Foundation

Sherry Black Foundation Our mission is to advocate for victims of violent crime by providing resources that will result in the advancement of homicide investigations.

Working together to solve the unsolved. Partnering with leading experts and businesses with similar interests, the Sherry Black Foundation and its board work to advance the collaboration of knowledge and experience between experts and agencies.

If you have a missing loved one, we invite you to join us for this inaugural event and connect with resources, support, ...
08/31/2026

If you have a missing loved one, we invite you to join us for this inaugural event and connect with resources, support, and a community that understands the unique challenges of ambiguous grief.

🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

This event is being developed through a public-private partnership between the Sherry Black Foundation, the Utah Department of Public Safety, the Utah State Crime Lab, the Office of the Medical Examiner, and other state and local partners.

Our mission is to provide families with missing loved ones and unsolved cases access to information, advocacy, and compassionate support.

Families attending will have the opportunity to:
• Learn about the Utah Cold Case Database and case advocacy resources
• Receive assistance with NAMUS registration and updates for missing and unidentified person cases
• Connect with victim and family support services
• Access educational resources

Throughout the event, families will move through coordinated resource stations, meet with the appropriate agencies, and receive guidance to help advocate for their loved one's case.

Register or learn more: https://givebutter.com/utah-unsolved-ndlgem

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"Never let them take you to a second location."In 1991, retired police sergeant Sanford Strong shared this life-saving r...
08/27/2026

"Never let them take you to a second location."

In 1991, retired police sergeant Sanford Strong shared this life-saving rule on The Oprah Show: If you’re being attacked, never let them move you. A second location means isolation, control, and a far deadlier outcome.

This advice was born from a need to educate, empower, and protect—because true crime stories aren’t just entertainment. They’re real lives, real tragedies, and real lessons. While podcasts and documentaries dive into these cases, it’s crucial to remember: these aren’t just stories to consume. Awareness is never something to fear—it's something that can protect you.

Stay aware. Stay sharp. Better safe than sorry.

DNA doesn't just help solve crimes—it helps protect the innocent.When people think about DNA evidence, they often think ...
08/24/2026

DNA doesn't just help solve crimes—it helps protect the innocent.

When people think about DNA evidence, they often think about identifying suspects and securing convictions. But one of the most powerful impacts of DNA technology is its ability to show when someone was not responsible.

DNA is not about proving guilt—it is about uncovering the truth. Sometimes DNA helps investigators identify the person responsible. Other times, it reveals that the wrong person was investigated, helping prevent or correct a devastating injustice.

For victims and families, answers matter. For the innocent, the truth matters just as much.

Share your thoughts: Were you aware that DNA evidence has helped exonerate hundreds of wrongfully convicted individuals?

Learn more about DNA exonerations and the impact of forensic science through the National Registry Of Exoneration Reports:
https://exonerationregistry.org/sites/exonerationregistry.org/files/documents/2025Exonerations.pdf

What is CODIS?CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) is the FBI's secure national DNA database, used by law enforcement to co...
08/20/2026

What is CODIS?

CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) is the FBI's secure national DNA database, used by law enforcement to compare DNA evidence and generate investigative leads.

The system is managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in partnership with accredited federal, state, and local forensic laboratories. Each participating laboratory follows strict legal, scientific, and quality assurance standards for entering and searching DNA profiles.

So, how does it work?

Crime Scene DNA: DNA collected from crime scene evidence can be compared against DNA profiles from individuals who are legally required by state or federal law to provide a DNA sample, such as convicted offenders and, in many states, certain arrestees.

Connecting Cases: CODIS can identify links between crimes committed in different jurisdictions—even when investigators don't realize they're connected.

Helping Missing Families: CODIS also compares DNA from missing persons, unidentified human remains, and family reference samples to help identify the unknown and reunite families with answers.

Every DNA comparison is more than a scientific process—it represents another opportunity to solve a violent crime, restore someone's identity, or provide long-awaited answers to families who have spent years searching for justice.

Every profile has the potential to become a lead. Every lead has the potential to change a family's story.

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Technology in Violent Crime Investigations: A Tool, Not the AnswerAdvances in technology have transformed how investigat...
08/17/2026

Technology in Violent Crime Investigations: A Tool, Not the Answer

Advances in technology have transformed how investigators approach violent crime.

Cell tower data doesn't solve crimes—it helps investigators solve them.

When lawfully obtained, historical location data can help establish timelines, verify witness statements, identify leads, and eliminate innocent people from suspicion. It's one of many tools investigators use to uncover the truth in violent crime cases.

One widely discussed example is the Bryan Kohberger investigation, where historical cell phone location data was used alongside forensic evidence, video surveillance, and other investigative findings to help reconstruct events and guide the investigation. The location data was one piece of a much larger evidentiary picture.

As technology continues to evolve, so does the conversation about how these tools should be used. Most people agree that violent crimes deserve every lawful investigative resource available, while also recognizing the importance of maintaining clear legal standards, oversight, and accountability.

What are your thoughts?

These technologies, when used with appropriate legal safeguards and judicial oversight, are valuable tools for investigating violent crimes.

Share your perspective. How can we continue to advance investigative technology while protecting the rights and privacy of the public?

Learn More

If you're interested in seeing how investigators use cell tower evidence as one part of a larger investigation, the Bryan Kohberger case provides a well-known example. Episodes 1–4 of discuss the investigative process, and several documentary series examine how digital evidence contributed to building the case alongside other forms of evidence.

When a body has decomposed or skeletal remains are discovered, forensic anthropologists play a critical role in uncoveri...
08/13/2026

When a body has decomposed or skeletal remains are discovered, forensic anthropologists play a critical role in uncovering what happened. By carefully examining bones, they can often determine whether injuries occurred before death, around the time of death (perimortem), or after death.

So, what can bones reveal?

1. Sharp cuts may indicate injuries from knives or other bladed weapons.

2. Fracture patterns can help distinguish trauma that occurred while the bone was still fresh from damage that happened long after death.

3. Gunshot wounds can leave distinctive entry, exit, or radiating fracture patterns.

4. Repeated blunt force injuries may leave depressed fractures or other characteristic damage.

5. Signs of healing can show that an injury happened weeks, months, or even years before death.

Not every skeleton reveals a cause of death. Many fatal injuries—such as strangulation, suffocation, poisoning, or certain internal injuries—may leave no marks on the bones at all. That's why forensic anthropologists work alongside medical examiners, forensic pathologists, law enforcement, and other forensic specialists to piece together the full story.

While bones alone don't always prove a homicide, they can provide critical evidence that helps investigators determine whether a death was natural, accidental, suicidal, or the result of foul play.

What surprised you most about what bones can reveal? Let us know in the comments!

We’re excited to be at the 2026 IHIA 32nd Annual Conference! The Sherry Black Foundation is proud to have a booth at thi...
08/10/2026

We’re excited to be at the 2026 IHIA 32nd Annual Conference!

The Sherry Black Foundation is proud to have a booth at this year’s conference, and our Executive Director, Erin Ryan, is here connecting with attendees, sharing our mission, and learning alongside so many incredible professionals in the industry.

Thank you to the IHIA conference organizers for putting together such a valuable event and bringing our community together! Thank you to everyone attending and all those doing the difficult and important work of seeking justice and answers for families and communities. We're honored to be alongside you.

Be sure to stop by our booth and say hello — and don't forget to get your bingo card signed at our booth to enter our drawing!

We’re grateful to be part of the 2026 IHIA Annual Conference and look forward to a great few days!

Awareness is never something to fear—it's something that can protect you. Your gut isn't just a feeling, it's your first...
08/10/2026

Awareness is never something to fear—it's something that can protect you. Your gut isn't just a feeling, it's your first line of defense.

True crime reminds us that danger often hides in plain sight. Gavin de Becker’s book The Gift of Fear teaches us that our instincts are survival signals, even when we can’t explain why. Too often, we brush off that nagging feeling to be nice or avoid seeming like we’re overreacting, but your intuition is never wrong—listen to it.

If something—or someone—feels off, trust that warning. It’s better to act on it than ignore it.

Here is a glimpse into some common tactics that have been used to manipulate potential victims, and how to stay one step ahead:

Forced Teaming: When someone says, “We’re in this together,” ask yourself: Do we really have anything in common? You’re not being rude by walking away.

Charm & Niceness: A charming smile isn’t always harmless. Ask: Are they trying to charm me? Trust is earned, not given instantly.

Too Many Details: Liars over-explain. If someone throws out endless stories or excuses, pause and ask: Why do I need to know all this?

Typecasting: Insults like “You’re too uptight to hang out” are meant to provoke you. Don’t take the bait—your worth isn’t up for debate.

Loan Sharking: Someone offering unsolicited help? Remember: You didn’t ask for this. You owe them nothing.

The Unsolicited Promise: Promises are tools to manipulate. If someone says “I promise,” ask yourself: Why do I need to hear this? Trust your hesitation.

Discounting a “No”: The biggest red flag. If someone won’t accept your "No", they don’t respect your boundaries. Say it loud, say it proud, and stick to it.

Better to be seen as rude and stay alive than try to be nice and end up in danger. Your intuition is always responding to something—honor it.

Want to learn more? Grab a copy of The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker and share it with your friends and family.

Stay aware. Stay sharp. Trust yourself.

True crime can educate, inspire action, and help keep cases in the public eye—but the way these stories are told makes a...
08/06/2026

True crime can educate, inspire action, and help keep cases in the public eye—but the way these stories are told makes all the difference.

The podcasts we appreciate most never lose sight of the people behind the case. They honor victims, treat families with respect, and focus on the search for answers.

Have a favorite podcast that gets it right? Share it in the comments! We'd love to hear your recommendations and what you think makes true crime storytelling respectful.

Every missing person is someone's child, parent, sibling, partner, or friend. Behind every photo is a family living with...
08/03/2026

Every missing person is someone's child, parent, sibling, partner, or friend. Behind every photo is a family living with questions that have no answers—a kind of loss known as ambiguous grief, where hope and heartbreak exist side by side. It is an unbearable weight that no family should have to carry alone.

This National Missing Persons Week, we stand with the families who continue searching, waiting, and hoping.

At the Sherry Black Foundation, we believe that every victim deserves justice. Every family deserves answers. Every investigator deserves the support to make both possible.

We exist because answers matter. By equipping law enforcement with advanced training, investigative resources, strategic partnerships, and case consultation, we help strengthen investigations and remove barriers that stand in the way of justice. Every stronger investigation brings us one step closer to the answers families deserve.

You can make a difference, too. Stay aware. Share missing persons cases. Learn the names and faces in your own community, and stand with the families who refuse to give up hope.

If you're in Utah, take a few moments this week to view the state's current missing persons list: https://bci.utah.gov/missing-persons/

Together, we can help ensure that no one is forgotten.

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9350 S 150 East #1000
Sandy, UT
84070

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