As we prepare for the holiday season and rapidly approaching new year, let’s take a look back at Forensic’s most read news of 2025 while reflecting on how far forensic science has come in the last 12 months.
1. Genealogy Identifies Human Foot Found on Beach in 2008
Surtel was last seen on April 29, 2007, when he departed from his home in Mission, British Columbia, at approximately midnight, riding his bicycle. His family subsequently reported him missing, prompting an extensive search effort that continued for years without success. While details surrounding his disappearance and how he arrived in Washington remain unclear, his identification provides a critical breakthrough for his family, who had sought answers for nearly two decades.
Originally published March 10, 2025
2. Serial Killer Suspect Dies 1 Day after Third Victim Identification
One day after genetic genealogy finally identified I-90 Jane Doe (1992), her alleged murderer—suspected serial killer Clark Perry Baldwin—died in prison from a heart attack. Baldwin was arrested on May 6, 2020, for the 1991 murder of Pamela McCall, who was 5 months pregnant at the time. In May 2025, Baldwin was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in Tennessee. He was then going to stand trial in Wyoming for the murders of two other women—Bitter Creek Betty and I-90 Jane Doe. Bitter Creek Betty was identified as Irene Vasquez in May 2022, although the identification was not made public until May 2025. Then, on July 17, 2025, investigators with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation announced they identified I-90 Jane Doe as Cindi Arleen Estrada. Baldwin died the day after the identification after suffering a heart attack in prison two days prior.
Originally published July 21, 2025
3. Remains Found in Rolled Up Carpet in 1997 Now Identified
In May 1997, skeletal remains were located in a field off of Haggerty Road in Plymouth, Michigan. The discovery was made in the west Detroit suburb when a man interested in purchasing the property was conducting a survey. The citizen reported coming across a piece of rolled up carpet that, when opened, revealed human skeletal remains along with several articles of clothing and jewelry. Authorities responded to the scene, and it was determined that the carpet and remains had been there for multiple years.
Originally published June 30, 2025
4. Remains Found Behind Vacant Home Now Identified as Young Woman
In September 2018, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in Detroit, Michigan. The skeletal remains, including a skull and bones, were found by an AT&T worker behind a vacant home in the 14200 block of Camden on the east side of Detroit. It was estimated that the remains were that of a Black female between the ages of 17 and 22 years. The woman was estimated to be between 5’8” and 6’1” tall. The woman could not be identified and details of the cases were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP52302. In 2023, the Detroit Police Department teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy could help generate new leads and assist with identifying the unknown woman. E
Originally published March 21, 2025
5. Despite Hurdles Like Adoption and Anti-trans Sentiment, DDP IDs Julie Doe After 36 Years
After 36 years—and five years of working the case—the DNA Doe Project has identified “Transgender Julie Doe” as Pamela Leigh Walton. The identification of Walton’s body faced complications from beginning to end, starting with the fact that she was adopted—and adoption records are not accessible to genetic genealogists. Additionally, when conducting a media outreach campaign to try to generate tips from the public, DNA Doe Project (DDP) ran into anti-trans sentiment on social media. Not only did DNA Doe Project continue to advocate for Walton in public and private, but they have now restored her rightful name.
Originally published March 12, 2025
6. DNA Doe Project Identifies Last Child Victim of Bear Brook Murders
Nearly 50 years after her serial killer father allegedly murdered her, the DNA Doe Project has identified the little girl found in a barrel in Bear Brook State Park in 2000. Her name was Rea Rasmussen, and she was the biological daughter of Terry Rasmussen—also known as the Chameleon Killer—and Pepper Reed. Rea was born in 1976 in California, and is thought to be between 2 and 4 years old at the time of her murder. Her mother, Reed, went missing in the late 1970s and may also be a victim of Rasmussen. Her body has never been recovered.
Originally published September 8, 2025
7. Suspect Dies 2 Days Before Arrest for 1986 Kidnapping, Rape
Two days before a 78-year-old Wisconsin man was going to be arrested for a kidnapping and sexual assault that occurred 39 years ago in Michigan, he was found deceased at his residence. Due to the suspect’s death occurring prior to arraignment, his name is being withheld, but the victim was told that her assailant was positively identified through DNA—forensic investigative genetic genealogy, specifically. In fact, this August 1986 case is believed to be the oldest sexual assault case in Michigan to be solved utilizing genetic genealogy.
Originally published August 4, 2025
8. Genealogy Identifies Skeletal Remains Found in 1997
In July 1997, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in Camden Wyoming, a neighborhood in Kent County, Delaware. The discovery was made by a hiker who was walking in a wooded area off Route 10 and Mahans Corner Road. It was determined that the remains were that of an adult female, estimated to be between 40 and 60 years old at her time of death. The woman’s height was estimated to be 5’6”. She had brown hair and wore a blue hair clip and a black watch. Investigators believe she was beaten to death, and her death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. The unidentified woman became known as Kent County Jane Doe.
Originally published February 5, 2025
9. Opinion: Who’s Afraid of Madeleine McCann?
by Mark Perlin, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientist and Executive, Cybergenetics
Madeleine McCann—one of the most famous, most expensive, most heavily reported missing child cases in history. $18 million spent on investigations. A pedophile suspect soon to be released by Germany for lack of evidence. “Inconclusive” DNA collected by the Portuguese police that could solve the case. Does the British government want to know the truth?
Originally published June 30, 2025
10. Data Preservation on Mobile Devices: The Quicker, The Better
Recent updates to mobile phone technology have changed the current playing field in terms of ensuring the most complete technology, rendering the traditional mindset of placing the phone in the faraday enclosure and imaging later in the lab obsolete as data degradation begins immediately. To preserve evidence, ensuring the most comprehensive data available requires near-immediate acquisition. Recently, the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE) took up this issue in their Position Paper titled “Position on Timely Preservation via Digital Acquisition” which was published on March 10, 2025. What recent changes are affecting data availability? Quite a few…
Originally published March 19, 2025