Raised as Paul Fronczak, Genetic Genealogy Uncovers His True Identity
Paul Fronczak spent his life wondering if he was a baby who’d been kidnapped from a Chicago hospital. As an adult, DNA tests confirmed that detectives had gotten it wrong. CeCe Moore, founder of The DNA Detectives describes how she was able to use commercial DNA databases to help Paul uncover his true identity. […]
Solving the Phoenix Canal Murders
Colleen Fitzpatrick, founder of Identifinders International, describes how she used forensic genealogy to narrow a list of 2,000 suspects to just 5 and helped the Phoenix PD catch the Canal Killer. TRANSCRIPT: My name is Colleen Fitzpatrick. I’m a forensic genealogist. I’m based in Fountain Valley, California, and I’m the owner and originator of […]
When Medical Conditions Muddle Forensic Casework
Picture yourself relaxing at home watching your favorite television show. Your feet are up, all of your chores are done, and the house is quiet. Maybe you’ve got your favorite ice-cold drink sitting on the table next to you and a pizza on the way. Life is good! Except, now there’s an insistent knocking at […]
Analyzing History – Putting the Pieces Together One Run at a Time
Dr. Angie Ambers is a full-time forensic geneticist for the UNT Center for Human Identification, specializing in characterization and identification of contemporary, historical, and archaeological human skeletal remains. She’s written a few articles for the ISHI blog detailing how she’s been able to obtain DNA profiles from historical remains, such as an American Civil War […]
A Mystery from the 1800’s and Justice for Jennifer – Interesting Cases from ISHI 24
The Interesting Cases section during the 24th International Symposium on Human Identification in Atlanta, GA showcased the power of DNA in two different ways. First, through a joint effort between Mitotyping Technologies and the Smithsonian, a boy from the 1850s was given back his identity. Second, a Detective from Texas and a Special Agent with […]
DNA Reveals the Identity of Jack the Ripper?
In the late 1800s, Victorian England was mesmerized and horrified by a series of brutal killings in the crowded and impoverished Whitechapel district. The serial killer, who became known as “Jack the Ripper”, had murdered and mutilated at least five women, many of whom worked as prostitutes in the slums around London. None of these […]
An “Angel”, the “Killer Clown”, and the “Cleveland Strangler” – Interesting Cases from ISHI
Last time, we explored Interesting Cases that were presented at the 26th International Symposium on Human Identification. This time, we’re going back in time to ISHI 23, which was held in Nashville, TN, and featured seven interesting case presentations. We’re going to recount three of them focusing on serial killers – Sheila Labarre, John Wayne […]
From Death Row to Exoneration Thanks to DNA
Imagine being convicted of a crime for which you are not guilty—not some minor crime, but one of the most heinous crimes imaginable: the rape and murder of a young girl. Would you feel shock and anger at the injustice? Disappointment in the legal system that could make such a horrible error? Sadness and depression […]
An Interview with Susan Mustafa
Susan Mustafa, true crime author, describes how DNA testing in Louisiana was impacted by serial killings and her process for writing. TRANSCRIPT: My name is Susan D Mustafa. I’m a true crime author. I’m the co-author of The Most Dangerous Animal of All, Searching for my Father and Finding the Zodiac Killer with Gary […]
