Genetic Genealogy

  • Genetic Genealogy Helps Name Suspect in 1993 Murder

    September 16, 2024
    In the summer of 2023, detectives used various investigative methods and lead information from the genetic genealogy analysis and were able to identify Shepherd as a suspect. read more
  • Othram Identifies Victim Whose Foot Washed Ashore in 1999

    September 13, 2024
    Human remains that were discovered in 1999 in Spokane, Washington have been identified as part of the Spokane Medical Examiner's efforts to clear their backlog of unidentified human remains. read more
  • Kansas Police Use Genetic Genealogy to Solve 2007 Rape Case

    September 11, 2024
    A Kansas man has been sentenced to 310 months in prison for a rape prosecutors solved using genetic genealogy. read more
  • Genetic Genealogy, New DNA Technology Helps Identify California Man Found in 2001

    September 09, 2024
    California investigators have utilized new DNA technology to finally identify the identity of a man found in a waterway in 2001. read more
  • Human Remains Identified After nearly 35 Years

    September 03, 2024
    Human remains found in 1993 near I-65 (what is now Otte Golf Course) in Greenwood have been positively identified following months of DNA and genealogy work. This case had remained cold with no leads until our Coroner's Office revisited it using updated DNA and genealogy procedures. Significant progress was made with the help of Greenwood PD, The University of Indianapolis, and the Othram Forensic DNA Testing Laboratory. read more
  • 1995 Hillsborough Cold Case Solved

    August 28, 2024
    The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit has identified human remains from a case dating back to 1995. On April 29, 1995, deputies with HCSO responded to the northwest corner of Bearss Avenue and I-275, where a deceased male was located inside a tent with advanced stages of decomposition. The investigation revealed the male had died of natural causes. read more
  • Mississippi State Medical Examiner Teams with Othram to Identify a 2023 John Doe

    August 28, 2024
    In December 2023, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered inside a car in a wooded area off MS Highway 589 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Hattiesburg is about 90 miles southeast of Jackson and about 70 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico coast. When the Lamar County Police Department arrived at the scene, they found the driver's side door of a white Nissan Altima ajar, with the remains of an unidentified individual positioned in the driver's seat. read more
  • Serial Rapist Receives Life Sentence in First Genetic Genealogy Jury Trial in Dallas County History

    August 28, 2024
    Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot announces that Christopher Michael Green will spend the rest of his life in prison after a Dallas County jury found him guilty of Aggravated Sexual Assault. The 52-year-old defendant was charged in a 2005 cold case attack on a young mother whom he sexually assaulted at knifepoint. This case marks the first jury trial in Dallas County history to utilize Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) as an investigative tool to help identify the suspect. read more
  • DC Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 1979 Cold Case Murder of Vickie Lynn Belk

    August 26, 2024
    Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, August 23, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Andre Taylor, 63, to Life in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Vickie Lynn Belk. Taylor was convicted of the aforementioned charge by a Charles County jury on July 18, 2024. read more
  • California's Monterey County Cold Case Taskforce Teams with Othram to Identify a 2008 John Doe

    August 21, 2024
    In March 2008, the partial remains of an unidentified individual were discovered at the base of the Bixby Bridge in California's Big Sur region. The Bixby Bridge is located on California Scenic Highway 1, approximately 18 miles south of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. read more