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!
10 Million Names Project Working with Local Genealogists to Uncover Names of Enslaved Americans (4WWL – 7/24/2024)
It is estimated that more than 10 million men and women were enslaved in America during the slave trade. In Louisiana, the enslaved population grew to more than 331,000 in 1860.
Today, a national group is working to identify their names and create a free and searchable virtual database.
DNA Testing Leads to ID of Victim of 2009 Irvine Killing, a Missing Nevada Teen (Los Angeles Times – 7/26/2024)
A teenage girl who was strangled then dumped in Irvine and set on fire nearly 15 years ago has been identified, police said Thursday.
The victim was identified as 14-year-old Marcia Shirree Thomas, who was reported missing out of Reno, Nev., police said.
“The Irvine Police Department has been committed to this case since 2009,” Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent said in a statement. “Marcia’s family remains in our thoughts during this difficult time. We appreciate the agencies that have assisted in providing crucial information to support the case and the family.” Authorities managed to identify the victim through DNA tests, police said. One of the defendants in the case, Gabino Baldivia-Guzman, recently went on trial for the Sept. 5, 2009, killing, but jurors deadlocked 11-1 for guilt, and he will go on trial again at a future date.
DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 2020 John Doe (DNASolves – 7/26/2024)
In October 2020, the remains belonging to an unidentified individual were discovered in Tucker, Georgia. Tucker is a city located just northeast of Atlanta. A lawn maintenance crew discovered the remains right behind a business parking lot near a tree line. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. It was determined that the remains were that of a black male who was 5’10” tall and weighed 113 pounds. The man was between the ages of 18 and 39 years old. At the time of the man’s discovery, he was wearing a clear stud earring.
Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP101168. To help visualize the man’s appearance during his life, an artist rendering was created and released to the public in hopes that it would generate new leads about the man’s identity. Despite the exhaustive efforts of law enforcement, the man’s identity has remained a mystery.
In 2024, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in the Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man. Once the profile was successfully built, Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team produced new investigative leads that were provided to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. A reference sample was collected from a potential relative and compared to the DNA profile of the man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be 18-year-old Josiah Campbell, who was missing from Snellville, Georgia. Campbell was last seen on September 25th, 2020, when he left his home to go to a recording studio. Campbell would be 22 years old today.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 1985 John Doe (DNASolves – 7/26/2024)
In February 1985, a man was walking on N. 2nd Street in Immokalee, Florida when he collapsed. Immokalee is a city located just southeast of Fort Myers. The man was drinking a beer and it was initially believed that he was intoxicated. Toxicology tests were negative, and it was ultimately determined that the man died due to natural causes. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene where it was determined that the man could not be identified. The unknown man was estimated to be between the ages of 46 and 60 years old. He stood 5’6” tall, and weighed between 135 and 150 pounds, had brown hair, brown eyes, as well as a short beard. Despite investigator’s attempts to identify the man, his identity has remained a mystery for forty years.
At the time of the man’s discovery, he was wearing a green shirt, a gray sweater, a brown sweater, a pair of jeans, brown socks, and black shoes. Found near the body was a pair of bifocal eyeglasses with worn-out horn rims. In the left front pants pocket was a package of “headache powders.” Notably, he had a well-healed 14 cm by 0.3 cm scar on his upper abdominal midline.
In April 2008, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP1242. A forensic composite sketch depicting how the man may have looked during his life was developed and released to the public in hopes that it would generate new leads in the case. In an effort to finally identify Collier County John Doe, officials with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to generate new leads about his identity.
In 2023, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence, and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. Reference DNA samples were collected from a potential relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Charles Wallace, born in 1933.
Innovative Forensic DNA Technology: Tracking Terror Suspects Through Dust on Boots and Baggage (The Times of India – 7/28/2024)
In the ever-evolving landscape of counter-terrorism, forensic science continues to innovate, providing law enforcement agencies with cutting-edge tools to track and apprehend suspects. One of the most groundbreaking advancements in recent years is the development of forensic DNA technology that analyzes environmental traces, such as dust on boots and baggage. This novel approach offers a new dimension in the fight against terrorism, enabling authorities to trace suspects’ movements and affiliations with unprecedented precision.
NC State Crime Lab Breaks Record of DNA Hits in a Year (WECT6 – 7/29/2024)
Attorney General Josh Stein announced on July 29 that the NC State Crime Lab had 1,466 CODIS hits in the past fiscal year, breaking the record of 1,382 hits in fiscal year 2023.
A “hit” is when a DNA sample matches a person with a previous conviction or arrest already in the CODIS system or when evidence is culled through forensic casework.
“I am incredibly grateful for the hard-working scientists at the State Crime Lab who test and analyze evidence,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “Thanks to their dedication and expertise, law enforcement continues to take dangerous criminals off the street and make North Carolina safer and stronger.”
In June, the lab uploaded 991 samples to the CODIS database and got 65 hits.
Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado Bureau of Investigation Team with Othram to Identify 2018 John Doe (DNASolves – 7/30/2024)
In May 2018, the partial skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered near Silver Lakes Drive in Lawson, Colorado. Lawson is located west of Denver on Interstate 70. Local children found the skull along with a tooth fragment by a power pole. The skull was described as missing its mandible, but was otherwise intact. A forensic anthropologist examined the skull and determined that it belonged to a male of European ancestry. The examination found no evidence of trauma, and it was determined that the individual had been deceased for at least four months, though more likely for one or more years.
An STR profile was developed in hopes of making an identification. With no match to a known individual, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP65792. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement investigators to identify the man, no matches were found, and the case went cold due to a lack of investigative leads.
In 2023, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation submitted forensic evidence to Othram, in The Woodlands, Texas, in hopes that advanced DNA testing could help to identify the man. Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. After successfully completing the profile, the DNA profile was delivered to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation so that new leads in the case could be developed using forensic genetic genealogy by their team.
Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted, leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be David Michael Crady, born October 4, 1955.
Hawaiian Police Match DNA To Unsolved 1991 Murder (Forensic – 7/31/2024)
A man accused of one of the most infamous cold cases in Hawaii history has reportedly committed suicide just shortly after police identified and interviewed him for a 1991 murder.
Albert Lauro Jr., 57, was recently identified in the December 24, 1991 kidnapping, rape, and murder of Dana Ireland, 23, in the Kapoho area of Hawaii. According to police, Ireland died the next day at the Kilo Medical Center.
“For 33 years, our Department has been resolute in investigating the Dana Ireland case,” said Hawai‘i Police Department Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz.
Following the Ireland murder, local police departments collected and maintained DNA samples from the victim’s body, a sheet used to transport Ireland to the hospital, and from a t-shirt found at the scene.
However, the issue arose when the DNA did not match anyone in the DNA databases.
Officials did send the DNA to the Forensic Analytical Crime Lab in California in 2008 for assistance in solving the crime.
Moreover, as DNA technology advanced, investigators were able to piece together a family tree of the suspect based on known DNA from relatives. By doing this, an FBI field representative earlier this year was able to submit a list of potential suspects for the crime.
Montgomery County Coroner Office Confirms Identity of Skeletal Remains Found in Towamencin Township (Forensic – 7/31/2024)
The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the identity of skeletal remains discovered in Towamencin Township earlier this year. The remains have been identified as those of Isaias Hernandez-Geronimo, a 34-year-old male who had recently moved to the United States.
On March 18, 2024, a surveyor working in a small, wooded area in Towamencin Township came across a human skull. Upon discovery, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, in collaboration with local law enforcement, promptly secured the scene and began a thorough investigation.
“Identifying skeletal remains is a meticulous process involving forensic anthropology, dental records (if available), DNA analysis, and other investigative techniques,” said Dr. Janine Darby, Montgomery County Coroner. “Since the discovery, we have been working diligently with forensic experts to establish the identity of the remains.”
The identification of Isaias Hernandez-Geronimo was made possible through DNA testing. Mr. Geronimo is survived by his wife, children, and extended family.
How did Neanderthals Disappear? New DNA Analysis Sheds Light on the Mystery (CNN – 7/31/2024)
The 2010 discovery that early humans and Neanderthals once interbred was a scientific bombshell — the revelation of a genetic legacy that’s since been found to play a role in the lives of modern people, influencing circadian rhythms, immune system function and the way some feel pain.
Scientists, however, have found it surprisingly hard to piece together gene flow in the opposite direction: how intermingling between the two groups may have shaped Neanderthals, who went extinct around 40,000 years ago. With the help of new techniques, a new study is painting a clearer picture.
The analysis, published July 12 in the journal Science, showed that the two groups exchanged DNA at multiple points over the past 250,000 years, shedding light on how Neanderthals disappeared and potentially rewriting the story of how and when our Homo sapiens ancestors left Africa.
35th International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) Highlights Intersection of True Crime Media and DNA Forensics (BusinessWire – 7/31/2024)
The International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) will celebrate its 35th anniversary September 23—26 in San Antonio. The annual meeting on DNA forensics welcomes more than 900 forensic DNA experts and law enforcement professionals from around the world. Promega Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of products for DNA-based human identification, has sponsored ISHI since its inception.
The 2024 ISHI Keynote session will spotlight the intersection of true crime media and DNA forensics. A panel of speakers will share insights and experiences that underscore the role of DNA in connecting the past with the present and shaping the future.
New DNA Analysis Helps Bust 200-Year-Old Royal Conspiracy Theory (University of Leicester – 8/01/2024)
A new genetic analysis by an international team of scientists has helped bust a popular 200-year-old myth surrounding Kaspar Hauser, whose identity became one of the most mysterious riddles in German history.
Kaspar Hauser was a youth who seemingly appeared out of nowhere in Germany in 1828, claiming he had grown up in captive isolation in a dungeon, looked after by a mystery man he never saw. Unable to speak or write, he carried an anonymous letter stating he had been kept in total isolation since he was a baby.
The story captured the public’s curiosity, making Hauser a celebrity. This attention increased when the King of Bavaria, Ludwig I, ordered that he be guarded day and night for his protection. This fuelled speculation that his true identity could be that of a descendant of the House of Baden.
