Mar 29 2024

This Week in Forensic Science

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!

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 2010 John Doe (DNASolves – 3/21/2024)

- In July 2010, the partial skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found by a group of hikers in the Bitterroot National Forest near Stevensville, Montana, a town in Ravalli County. Ravalli County neighbors Missoula County. It is part of a mountain valley and is bordered by the Sapphire Mountains to the east and the Bitterroot Mountains to the west. The individual’s sex could not be definitively determined, but it was assumed that the remains were that of a male.
  In 2023, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as #UP101855. Despite the efforts of investigators, the man’s identity remains unknown and he became known as Ravalli County Doe.
  In 2024, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit teamed with Othram to leverage advanced DNA testing and genetic genealogy to develop investigative leads in hopes of identifying the individual. Anyone with information that could aid in this investigation is encouraged to contact the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office by calling 406-258-4810 and referencing agency case 10070063.

Forensic Science Ireland Opens New Lab and HQ (Forensic – 3/22/2024)

- The single largest investment in forensic science in the history of the state has results in a new laboratory and headquarters for Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).
  FSI was established in 1975 to provide a scientific service to the Criminal Justice System by analyzing samples submitted from crime scenes and providing expert evidence in criminal trials.
  The Office of Public Works (OPW) has designed and built a facility that allows FSI to do their work in an environment that is tailor-made for forensic science. The design allows for a secure, controlled intake and return of evidentiary exhibits and efficient movement throughout the building to undergo the required examination and analysis needed.
  “It is an investment in Ireland’s future and an acknowledgement of the ever-increasing relevance of forensic services in our justice system,” said Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister of State. “We now have one of the elite forensic analysis facilities in Europe, designed and delivered by the Office of Public Works team, who work tirelessly to deliver important infrastructure projects like this, on behalf of the people of Ireland.”
  The key to the approach was to tailor the functionality of the OPW generic laboratory layout with the specific operation requirements of the FSI. The layout of the building is a hub and spoke design that allows for a secure controlled intake and return of evidentiary exhibits.

Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 1998 Jane Doe (DNASolves – 3/22/2024)

- In October 1998, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were found in Independence, Missouri, a suburb of Kansas City. It was originally believed that the woman’s remains had been displaced by a flood in 1977. However, this information could not be confirmed. Investigators were able to determine that the remains were that of a female. However, no identifying characteristics could be determined for the woman.
  In 2024, the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office once again teamed with Othram to determine if advanced forensic DNA testing could help to identify the woman. Previously, Jackson County Medical Examiner and Othram worked together on the identification of Kevin Dewayne Cochran.
  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 for the woman. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile in a genetic genealogy search to develop new investigative leads that were returned to law enforcement.
  Using these new leads, Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office investigators conducted a follow-up investigation and made contact with a potential relative of the woman. Follow-up DNA testing confirmed the identity of the woman as Marie Antoinette Young. Young was born on December 1, 1922. Marie was known to be missing and her family searched for her for many years, even hiring a private investigator in their attempt to locate her.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 1994 Jane Doe (DNASolves – 3/22/2024)

- In 1994, the partial skeletal remains of a young girl were discovered in Tampa, Florida. The remains were transferred into the custody of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) who took the lead in identifying the unknown girl.
  The University of South Florida’s Institute for Forensic Anthropology & Applied Science developed a composite sketch and released it to the public in hopes that it would generate new leads in the case. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP61522. Despite two decades of investigative effort, the young girl could not be identified and the case eventually went cold.
  In July 2023, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office once again teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy could help establish an identity for the unidentified girl or a close relative of the girl. Previously, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Othram worked on a case that, after nearly four decades, led to the identification of U.S. Navy veteran Charles Allen Ray.
  HCSO submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas, where Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown girl. Once the profile was successfully built, Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile to generate investigative leads.
  These new leads were returned to law enforcement for use in a follow-up investigation, allowing investigators to identify relatives of Jane Doe.

Cold Case Unit Relaunches After 2-Year Hiatus (Forensic – 3/25/2024)

- After being disbanded two years ago, the Portland Police Bureau has announced the reinstatement of the Cold Case Unit thanks to a grant awarded through the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI).
  The $2.5 million grant—which was applied for in 2022 and officially granted at the start of this year—will fund four detectives and provide monies for outsource testing, including forensic investigative genetic genealogy efforts.
  The original Cold Case Unit had a long, successfully history, forming back in 2004 to use advances in technology to review and investigate unsolved homicides dating back to the 1960s. Over the course of the next 18 years, the unit reviewed over 270 cases, clearing 50-plus of those cases and charging more than 30 individuals with homicide-related crimes.

Women Criminologists Fill Sacramento County DA Crime Lab, Nearly Twice as Many Men (KCRA3 – 3/25/2024)

Women are leading the way when it comes to a career in the field of forensic sciences.
In fact, at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Lab of Forensic Services, there are almost twice as many women criminalists as men.

Ventura County Medical Examiner’s & Sheriff’s Office Team with Othram to Identify 2001 John Doe (DNASolves – 3/25/2024)

- In December 2001, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered by hikers in Ventura County, California. The body of a man was found floating in the Sespe Creek located in the Los Padres National Forest near Fillmore. The man was between thirty and sixty years old at his time of death. He had a red-brown moustache, a six-inch-long red brown beard, and long, dark red-brown hair that was 20 to 24 inches long. The man was 6’4” tall and weighed 248 pounds. Several personal belongings were found alongside the man’s remains including various articles of clothing and a pair of black, wire rim eyeglasses.
  In 2023, the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office, working with Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, submitted forensic evidence to Othram, in The Woodlands, Texas, to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. 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 extensive 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. Follow-up DNA testing was performed, leading to the positive identification of the man as Paul James Jepson. Jepson was born July 26, 1959 and had not been in touch with his family since the mid-1980s. No further details regarding Jepson are available at this time.

Ventura County Medical Examiner’s & Sheriff’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify 1979 John Doe (DNASolves – 3/26/2024)

In November 1979, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in the unincorporated area of Ojai, a small city in the northeast portion of Ventura, California. It was determined that the remains were that of a male, estimated to between thirty-five and sixty years old at his time of death. The man was estimated to be 5’3” tall. Due to the condition of his remains, other identifying characteristics could not be determined. An autopsy was performed, and it appeared that the man likely had limited use of his left arm due to an old injury. There was also some evidence of spina bifida involving the lower lumbar and sacrum. Investigators estimated that up to two years had passed between the man’s death and the time that his remains were found.
In 2023, the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office working with Ventura County Sheriff’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. 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 extensive 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. Follow-up DNA testing was performed to help confirm the identity of the man. This led to the positive identification of the man as Esteban Franco, who was born December 26, 1933.

DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 2018 John Doe (DNASolves – 3/26/2024)

In September 2018, a white male went into cardiac arrest while inside of a Wendy’s restaurant that is connected to a Pilot Travel Center on Bouldercrest Road, southeast of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Witnesses rushed to perform CPR as 911 was called. EMS arrived at the scene and transported the man to Atlanta Medical Center where attempts to save his life were unsuccessful. A nurse at the hospital reported the man’s death to the Dekalb County Medical Examiner’s Office, and reported that the man’s name, date of birth, and age were unknown.
In 2024, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office teamed up with Othram to leverage advanced DNA testing and genetic genealogy to develop investigative leads in hopes of identifying the man. Previously, the Dekalb County District Attorney’s Office teamed with Othram to identify Rebecca Burke. Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office at 404-371-2561 and reference case number 18-1411.

Funding Available Through the DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Program (BJA – 3/27/2024)

The Competitive and Formula funding opportunities are now available for the FY24 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program.
The Competitive opportunity provides funds to states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to solve crimes and protect public safety by maximizing the effective utilization of DNA technology to process DNA samples for entry into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
The Formula opportunity provides funds to states and units of local government with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to process, and/or to increase the capacity to process, more DNA samples for entry into CODIS by publicly funded forensic DNA and DNA database laboratories, thereby helping to reduce the number of forensic DNA and DNA database samples awaiting analysis and/or to prevent a backlog of forensic and database DNA samples.
Learn more about the Competitive and Formula funding opportunities and apply by the posted deadlines.

George Washington’s Descendants Identified in DNA Study of Unmarked Remains (Newsweek – 3/28/2024)

A DNA study of unmarked remains has identified family members of the first president of the United States.
The research, published in the journal iScience, identified the historical remains of George Washington‘s grandnephews, Samuel Walter Washington and George Steptoe Washington Jr., as well as their mother, Lucy Payne Washington, from unmarked, fragmentary bones buried at West Virginia’s Harewood family cemetery in the mid-1800s. The research could have a number of implications. For example, the researchers plan to apply their methods to identify the remains of service members lost around the world in past conflicts going back to World War II.