No one has hours to scour the papers to keep up with the latest news, so we’ve curated the top news stories in the field of Forensic Science for this week. Here’s what you need to know to get out the door!
Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Partners with Othram to Identify a 1993 Jane Doe (DNASolves – 4/20/2024)
In June 1993, the remains of an unidentified individual were found in an empty lot in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which is located southwest of New Haven off of I-95. The Bridgeport Police Department responded to the scene in a vacant lot at Lafayette Street and Railroad Avenue in the south end of the city. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the remains were that of a black female between 25 and 35 years of age who stood 5’ 3” tall. The woman was badly burned and no other identifying characteristics could be determined. A white Asics sneaker was found near the woman’s remains as well as a Reebok sneaker. It was determined that the woman’s manner of death was homicide.
In 2024, as part of an ongoing collaboration aimed at solving the backlog of cold cases in Connecticut, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner partnered with Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to identify the woman.
Knox County Regional Forensic Center & Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Team with Othram to Identify a 1993 John Doe (DNASolves – 4/22/2024)
In May 1993, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle along Cedar Bluff Road in Knoxville, Tennessee. The adult male, who had no identification on him, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and his body was sent for an autopsy. Forensic pathologists determined that the man was likely between the ages of 51 and 60, but were unable to identify him. Investigators with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Knox County Regional Forensic Center continued to work to determine the identity of the victim using technology available in 1993, but their efforts were not successful. After exhausting all leads, the man was classified as a John Doe.
Attempts to identify Knox County John Doe continued with the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Center submitting a sample of his remains to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A DNA profile was developed and entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), as UP1553, in hopes that the man would eventually be identified, but no developments occurred.
In December 2022, the Knox County Regional Forensic Science Center submitted submitted skeletal remains from the unknown man to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to generate new leads in the case. Later, in May 2023, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents partnered with the Knox County Regional Forensic Science Center on the case as part of the TBI Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative. Using the submitted skeletal evidence, Othram scientists developed a suitable DNA extract and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the DNA profile in a genetic genealogy search to produce new investigative leads that were returned to TBI agents.
Armed with these new leads, TBI agents launched a follow-up investigation that led to potential relatives of the unknown man. A reference DNA sample was collected from the relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man. The investigation paired with the results of the comparison test have confirmed the identity of the man as Elbert Louis Brown, born July 1, 1940. Brown was originally from the York, South Carolina area. It was further determined that Brown was last seen by family members in 1992.
Mississippi Office of the State Medical Examiner and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Team with Othram to Identify a 1999 John Doe (DNASolves – 4/22/2024)
n June 2022, the partial skeletal remains of an unknown individual were transferred into the custody of the Mississippi Office of the State Medical Examiner’s Office. It is believed that the remains were likely discovered in 1999. No identifying information, including sex or likely ancestry, could be reliably determined for the individual. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP111125. The case did not match any known missing persons.
In October 2023, the Mississippi Office of the State Medical Examiner and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation partnered with Othram to determine if advanced forensic DNA testing could help to identify the individual. Forensic evidence was submitted to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile. During this process, the individual’s sex was determined to be male. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile to conduct genealogical research and develop new investigative leads that were returned to investigators.
Using these leads, a follow-up investigation was launched, and contact was made with a potential relative of the unknown man. This investigation and confirmatory DNA testing led to the identity of the man as John “Johnny” Edward Billingsley, born on January 31, 1964, in Somerville, Fayette County, Tennessee. Billingsley resided in Memphis, Tennessee with his grandmother and he was last seen in March 1990 at the age of 26. Anyone with information that could assist in this investigation is encouraged to call the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation at 888-827-4637, referencing case number ME22-5006.
M-Vac Tech Links Two Cold Case Murders (Forensic – 4/22/2024)
DNA Labs International (DLI) has helped two long-standing cold cases in partnership with the Fairfax County Police Department. After decades of uncertainty, DLI used advanced DNA technology to help provide answers to law enforcement, victims and their families.
On Nov. 15, 1986, Jacqueline Lard, a 32-year-old real estate agent from Stafford County, vanished under mysterious circumstances. Following a brutal struggle at her office, her body was discovered by two juveniles under a carpet in a wooded area.
Three years later, in March 1989, 18-year-old Amy Baker disappeared while visiting family in Falls Church, Virginia. Her unoccupied vehicle was found, and a subsequent search by her family led to the discovery of her body in a nearby wooded area.
In 2020, detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department’s cold case team collaborated with DNA Labs International to submit evidence from Baker’s case for analysis. The breakthrough came through the use of the M-Vac System on clothing items related to the case, enabling the collection of sufficient DNA evidence for a profile to be uploaded to the Virginia database. This significant achievement led to linking evidence from the Baker murder to that of the murder of Jaqueline Lard.
Further investigative efforts involving forensic investigative genetic genealogy led to the identification of 65-year-old Elroy Harrison of Stafford County. Harrison was arrested on March 5, 2024, on multiple charges related to Lard’s murder, including first-degree murder, abduction with the intent to defile, and aggravated malicious wounding of Lard, as well as breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder. The investigation into Baker’s murder continues, with further developments anticipated.
Moxxy Identifies John Doe Struck by Car in 1994 (Forensic – 4/22/2024)
On July 18, 1994, a White/Asian male was transported to Tucson Medical Center after being struck by a vehicle on the east side of Tucson, Arizona. The man succumbed to his injuries at the hospital and was left unidentified.
In April 2023, Moxxy Forensic Investigations teamed up with the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner to identify John Doe through the use of investigative genetic genealogy. A crowdfund was established and the funds were raised, mainly from contributions by Melissa Boes Rice. A sample of John Doe’s blood was sent to GeneByGene and his raw DNA was uploaded to both FamilyTreeDNA and GEDMatch in September 2023.
Within 24 hours, a team of genealogists at Moxxy Forensics Investigations identified him as James Ottoman “Jimmy” Yee, who would have been 29 years old at the time of his death. Jimmy’s maternal side hailed from Norway and his paternal side hailed from China.
Jimmy Yee was born in Alameda County, California. He was one of three children and was a twin. Jimmy was known to be living in Tucson, Arizona, and was homeless at the time of his death. His family had been searching for his whereabouts for a long time.
Moxxy would like to extend gratitude to the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, the contributors for this case, Melissa Boes Rice, GeneByGene, FamilyTreeDNA, GEDMatch, and most of all—gratitude and condolences to the family of Jimmy Yee.
Generative A.I. Arrives in the Gene Editing World of CRISPR (The New York Times – 4/22/2024)
Identification Made: Motorcycle Mountain John Doe 2001 Identified as Jeffrey Thomas Rupen (DNA Doe Project – 4/23/2024)
The DNA Doe Project, in collaboration with the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, has successfully identified Motorcycle Mountain John Doe 2001 as Jeffrey Thomas Rupen, resolving a case that had remained a mystery for over two decades.
On February 15, 2001, a human skull was brought into the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office by a citizen who reported finding the remains in an area of Monte Rio, California, nicknamed “Motorcycle Mountain”. The skull was in good condition with the exception of a missing mandible. No additional remains were found in further searches of the area where the skull had been discovered. Cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the forehead.
In April, 2022, investigators with the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner’s office brought the case to the DNA Doe Project as part of a multi-case contract to provide investigative genetic genealogy services to address a number of Jane and John Doe cases. A DNA profile was developed and uploaded to the databases at GEDmatch.com and FTDNA.com, and a team of volunteers began the tedious process of building a family tree of DNA relatives to the John Doe in September of the same year.
“This case was complex and had some challenges, but our skilled team worked diligently to identify Motorcycle Mountain John Doe,” said team leader Rebecca Somerhalder. “Jeffrey Rupen’s family waited 42 years for answers about their son and brother. It is an honor to be a part of finally bringing him home.”
Jeffrey Thomas Rupen’s identification underscores the importance and power of collaborative efforts between law enforcement, DNA experts, and organizations like the DNA Doe Project in resolving cold cases and providing answers to families. It also highlights the role that members of the public can play in this work.
DNA Database to Help Fight Against Illegal Wildlife Trafficking (VOA – 4/23/2024)
Scientists from Australia and the United Kingdom are developing genomic sequencing technology to save parrots caught in the illegal wildlife trade.
They say their forensic methods are similar to a database used by INTERPOL, the international police organization.
Parrots are among the most trafficked birds in the illegal international wildlife trade.
By using samples from feathers or a speck of blood, researchers from the Australian National University and King’s Forensics in the United Kingdom are working to build a genetic database of threatened bird species.
They hope to create a DNA library that would help authorities track illegal trade routes and reveal the origin of animals seized from smugglers.
The research team says the genomic techniques are like those of INTERPOL’s I-Familia database, which is used to identify people based on international genetic kinship matching.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify the Suspect in a 1983 Homicide (DNASolves – 4/23/2024)
In October 1983, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) responded to an incident at a canal west of Atlantic Boulevard near the intersection of US 441 and Acme Dairy Road in Palm Beach County, Florida. In the canal, investigators located the body of a deceased white female. The woman’s body was discovered nude with a belt tied around her neck, and her throat had been cut. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner determined that the woman was a victim of sexual battery and that she had been murdered.
In January 2023, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office once again teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing could help generate new leads in the case. Most recently, PBSO identified a 1987 Jane Doe as Pati Lisa Loguercio Rust using leads developed by Othram. Forensic DNA evidence from the crime was sent to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive genealogical profile from the DNA of the unknown male suspect. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile to produce new investigative leads, which were provided to PBSO detectives.
Using these leads, PBSO detectives launched an investigation aimed at finally identifying the unknown suspect. This investigation led to relatives of the possible suspect. These relatives provided reference DNA samples that were compared with the male suspect DNA collected from the crime scene in 1983. Results of the comparison confirmed the identity of the suspect in Gayla Ann McNeil’s murderer as James Henderson, born October 24, 1948. Henderson resided at 421 Alegra Avenue in West Palm Beach, Florida. He worked as a mechanic in West Palm Beach and worked on Florida Power and Light Trucks. Henderson died November 24, 1987, four years after the murder of McNeil.
St. Louis City Office of the Medical Examiner Teams with Othram to Identify a 2020 John Doe (DNASolves – 4/24/2024)
In July 2020, the Webster Groves Police Department noted and began tracking the remains of an unidentified individual in Deer Creek, near Kirkham Avenue which is located in Webster Groves, Missouri. Webster Groves is a suburb just west of downtown St. Louis. The individual’s remains were recovered by the St. Louis Fire Department upon entry into the River Des Peres near Wabash Avenue in the City of St. Louis.
Investigators determined that the remains were that of a white male who stood 5’11” tall and weighed 225 pounds. The man was bald and wore tan cargo shorts and a belt at the time his remains were discovered. The man’s manner of death was unclear at the time of his discovery and is still pending.
In September 2020, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as #UP73539. The local media outlets released details about the case in hopes that it would generate leads about the man’s identity. Despite efforts to identify the man, no leads have yielded a match and the man’s identity remains a mystery.
In 2023, the St. Louis Office of the Medical Examiner teamed with Othram to leverage advanced DNA testing and genetic genealogy to develop investigative leads in hopes of identifying the man. Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact the St. Louis City Medical Examiner at 314-622-4971 and reference case number CITY-2020-1836.
New DNA Statue to be Unveiled at NIH on National DNA Day (National Human Genome Research Institute – 4/24/2024)
On April 25, National DNA Day, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will welcome a new statue, “The Ladder,” celebrating DNA and children.
National DNA Day is a unique day when students, teachers and the public can learn more about genetics and genomics. The day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of DNA’s double-helical structure in 1953.
The statue and unveiling ceremony are being hosted through a collaboration involving the NIH Clinical Center, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).
“The Ladder” was created by Mary Ellen Scherl, who took inspiration from biblical imagery and modern science, drawing parallels between a ladder leading to heaven in the Old Testament book of Genesis and the structure of DNA. Here, the bend in the path of the ladder is translated into the familiar double-helical shape.
“I want people to walk away with a sense of joy and celebration of humanity and science, of their inclusiveness,” Scherl says.
The four messengers “ascending and descending” the sculpture are in the form of children, representing the four nucleic acids that encode our genetic information, and the diversity of humanity, according to Scherl.
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office & FBI Leverage Othram’s Forensic Sequencing Platform to Identify a 1988 Murder Suspect (DNASolves – 4/25/2024)
In November 1988, detectives found 58-year-old Robert Hecht murdered in his home on Rio Togas Road in Charlotte County, Florida. Hecht had been hit in the head several times with a glass ashtray by an unknown individual. In the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Hecht had been last seen with a man named Ray. Detectives also learned that Hecht’s recently purchased Lincoln was missing from his garage. It was later found abandoned in North Carolina. Despite the efforts of investigators, the person responsible for Hecht’s murder could not be identified.
Although forensic DNA technology was in its infancy at the time of Hecht’s murder, DNA evidence was collected at the scene of the crime and preserved for future testing. Years later, DNA from the crime scene was finally analyzed and an STR profile was developed and entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Unfortunately, there was no match found in the CODIS search to a known identity. With all leads exhausted, and without a suspect identified, the case eventually went cold.
In August 2022, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office submitted evidence from the crime scene to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to identify the suspect. Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive genealogical profile from the DNA of the unknown male suspect. After successfully completing the process, the DNA profile was delivered to the FBI’s forensic genetic genealogy team and the FBI team performed the necessary work to generate new investigative leads in the case.
Using these new leads, law enforcement investigators met with possible relatives of the unidentified suspect. As a result of their investigation, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify the suspect as Kenneth Ray Miller. Miller died in 2007 of natural causes. Investigators learned that Miller had a long criminal history, and with Miller’s identification, the investigation into Robert Hecht’s murder is officially closed.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS? SUBSCRIBE TO THE ISHI BLOG BELOW!
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
