Aktenzeichen XY... Cold Cases is a special edition of the well-known ZDF crime-solving program Aktenzeichen XY... ungelöst. This format revisits unsolved criminal cases—so-called “cold cases”—with the aim of generating new leads from viewers that may help bring these investigations closer to resolution.

In each episode, multiple unsolved cases—some dating back decades—are presented in detail. By revisiting these stories, investigators hope to receive crucial new information from the public. The program combines dramatized reenactments, original footage, and interviews with detectives and the victims' families, offering a comprehensive view of each case.

Through this format, ZDF plays an important role in supporting law enforcement in solving long-standing criminal investigations, while also empowering viewers to take an active part in the fight against crime.