Vic police investigate cold case evidence

An urgent review has been ordered into the destruction of evidence in up to 40 Victorian cold case murder investigations.

Police are investigating an order made by an inspector in 1994 to destroy evidence that was determined to be no longer needed.

A spokesman says the Cold Case Missing Person squad is in the process of reviewing all cold case investigations.

"The review process will take time, and exhibit management will obviously be included in this," the spokesman told AAP.

"We are not in a position to comment on the status of exhibits relevant to cold case investigations while the review and prioritisation is underway."

Families of victims, and former and current homicide detectives, fear the destruction of evidence may prevent the cases ever being solved, Fairfax has reported.