The Missing Piece Episode 5: Darrell Splett (McHenry County John Doe)
Hikers in the Rush Creek Conservation Area of Harvard, Illinois discovered a body near the Rush Creek Trails in May 2019. The McHenry County Conservation Police responded to the scene and discovered the remains of a middle-aged white man. He was clothed in winter attire including multiple layers, a hat, hand-knitted scarf, and […]
The Missing Piece Episode 4: Shawna Beth Garber (Grace Doe)
In December 1990, a couple walking on a rural road in Southwest Missouri discovered the decomposed remains of a young woman. She had been hog-tied and dumped next to an abandoned farmhouse. Detective Howard was told that it would be only by the “Grace of God” that they could find out who she […]
Previewing the Posters of Our ISHI Student Ambassadors: Olivia McCarter
Investigative genetic genealogy is becoming a popular topic in the forensic community for its use in solving previously “unsolvable” cold cases for law enforcement. The United States, unfortunately, has very high rates of infanticides–or the murder of a child younger than four years of age. Because these children are so young and have likely not […]
Under the Microscope – Lawrence Wein
The genealogy process is typically the most time-consuming part of – and a limiting factor in the success of – investigative genetic genealogy. In his presentation at ISHI, Lawrence Wein will present a systematic approach to efficiently perform the genealogy portion of investigative genetic genealogy. He and his colleagues have formulated a two-stage mathematical model […]
The Missing Piece Episode 3: Rodney Johnson (Lake Stickney John Doe)
The search for answers began in 1994 when a fisherman discovered a body in the lake. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s office determined the deceased to be between 25 and 35 years old and the victim of a violent homicide. Multiple varied facial reconstructions were made for the victim over the years, in […]
Under the Microscope – Ed Green
Rootless hair is widely regarded as a poor source for DNA-based forensics. However, rootless hair shafts are known to contain preserved DNA that can be recovered and analyzed even after thousands of years. Ed Green and his partners have developed technology for exploiting the DNA found in rootless hair for forensic applications. In his presentation at […]
The Missing Piece Episode 2: Lisa Todd (Publicker Girl)
For years, victims were listed on cold case files in law enforcement evidence boxes. While never forgotten, limitations in forensic science prevented their cases from being closed. Families waited decades for answers and justice while their killers remained unidentified. In 2018, a new tool for crime solving rose to prominence as the […]
Tracing Roots: How the Transatlantic Slave Trade Impacted the Genetic Makeup of the Americas
Historical records on transatlantic slavery show that an estimated 12.5 million people were forcibly taken from Africa and sent to the Americas between 1515 and 1865. More than one and a half centuries after slavery was abolished, a study led by Steven Micheletti, a Population Geneticist at 23andMe, examines how the slave trade impacted the […]
Newly Launched G.O.L.D. Unit in Cuyahoga County Using Forensic Genetic Genealogy to Identify Most-Wanted Cold Case Rapists
In 2013, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO, Ohio) launched their Sexual Assault Kit Task Force (SAKTF) to investigate leads stemming from the testing of previously unsubmitted rape kits between 1993-2011. Over the years, the Task force finalized over 7,000 investigations which resulted in indictment of 817 defendants and justice for 915 victims. Last […]
