21.  Most of the priests removed had been involved in old cases, but new accusations have come to light recently.

22.  Newcomer said the prosecution of old cases should send a strong message to criminals.

23.  One of the new strategies involved the formation of the Cold Case and Apprehension Squad, which started up in February to re-examine old cases.

24.  Old cases are notoriously tricky to prosecute, experts said, because memories fade, evidence deteriorates and crimes lose resonance with juries.

25.  Opening the old cases also gives conservators their first chance in five decades to closely examine the documents with modern techniques.

26.  Police in the San Fernando Valley are also being freed up to chase old cases and boost clearance rates.

27.  Rarely do prosecutors admit that devastating mistakes were made even in cases decades old.

28.  Separately from the statement on the old cases, the archdiocese released detailed guidelines on how it would handle abuse reports.

29.  The accusers in old cases will be asked for their permission before the diocese hands over their files, DeRosa said.

30.  The images tossed, old cases were used to hold new photos or even converted to hold cigarettes or jewelry.