Which cases could be solved through forensic genealogy?

[unsolved243]

Recently, the Golden State Killer and the killer of Jay Cook and Tanya Van Cuylenborg have been arrested thanks to forensic genealogy. The investigators uploaded the killer's DNA to a genealogical website, GEDMatch. They then created family trees based on relatives, which led them to the suspects. Similar methods were also used to identify Jane/John Does, like Buckskin Girl and Lyle Stevik.

Which cases could be solved using forensic genealogy methods?

I think they should use this for the Orange Sock Murders case (Bobbi Oberholtzer and Annette Schnee). They have the presumed killer's DNA from blood on Bobbi's glove and tissues with her backpack.

They could also use these methods to identify the Sumter County Does.

[bell83]

My first thought was the unidentified dead, Little Miss Panasoffkee being the first one that came to mind. I think it's a wonderful possibility.

[GDAWG]

Did any other unknown killers leave their DNA at crime scenes?

[tsaun]

Connecticut River Killer

I think we're going to see a lot more of these cases solved by DNA geneology in the next couple of years. I thought the East Area case was the least likeliest to be solved. Then bam.

What a great tool!

[1990 UM fan]

Didn't they just practically solve Jennifer Odom's murder using the same technique? A guy whose son was in the database for DUI was eyed as the source of the DNA at her crime scene.

I also wonder if the Sulphur police department collected any unknown DNA from the Ellender crime scene? They could use familial DNA and find the rest of those who killed Eric and Pam. Their murders have always bothered me.

[Cori aka ChrisSCrush]

Originally Posted by bell83

My first thought was the unidentified dead, Little Miss Panasoffkee being the first one that came to mind. I think it's a wonderful possibility.

Has her DNA been collected? Also, has the torso of the young boy found in Canada which might be Clifford Sherwood or his friend Georges been located? If the boy proves to be neither, one possibility ruled out, but they might determine who the boy was. If the boy is Clifford, you can almost rule out his father Tex being involved unless Tex was the sort of horrible person who would murder his own son just to get back at his ex-wife. Both boys probably were either murdered by someone else or died accidentally. If the boy is Georges, though...for a long time I suspected Tex took both boys and whacked Georges, certainly to eliminate a witness and possibly to terrify Clifford into never telling. I always hoped, if he felt he had to kill Georges, that Tex took him away telling Clifford he was giving him a ride home. I always hoped Clifford was not traumatized by having to see his friend murdered and knowing his own father did it because of him! And maybe either died in misery or lived and is still living with the guilt!

[bell83]

Originally Posted by Cori aka ChrisSCrush

Has her DNA been collected? Also, has the torso of the young boy found in Canada which might be Clifford Sherwood or his friend Georges been located? If the boy proves to be neither, one possibility ruled out, but they might determine who the boy was. If the boy is Clifford, you can almost rule out his father Tex being involved unless Tex was the sort of horrible person who would murder his own son just to get back at his ex-wife. Both boys probably were either murdered by someone else or died accidentally. If the boy is Georges, though...for a long time I suspected Tex took both boys and whacked Georges, certainly to eliminate a witness and possibly to terrify Clifford into never telling. I always hoped, if he felt he had to kill Georges, that Tex took him away telling Clifford he was giving him a ride home. I always hoped Clifford was not traumatized by having to see his friend murdered and knowing his own father did it because of him! And maybe either died in misery or lived and is still living with the guilt!

I'm pretty sure it was. I know they were doing isotope analysis on her remains, and it came back showing she was from somewhere near the Aegean, and it turned out there was some woman who came here from Greece who may have actually known her, and came to the States with her (along with some other women who were supposed to be maids and stuff). So I'm thinking they probably took DNA as well.

Totally forgot about the Sherwood case. I'm not sure about that. I hope that can be figured out, if it hasn't been, already...

[drew790]

The blobs

[Thiussat]

Any case where they have DNA of the killer could be solved this way. I bet after the GSK arrest and Tanya Van Cuylenborg news, lots of old murderers are a bit shaken right now.

Would be something if Zodiac is solved. I doubt it, though, because I don't believe they have a reliable DNA sample of him.

[1990 UM fan]

Originally Posted by Thiussat

Any case where they have DNA of the killer could be solved this way. I bet after the GSK arrest and Tanya Van Cuylenborg news, lots of old murderers are a bit shaken right now.

Would be something if Zodiac is solved. I doubt it, though, because I don't believe they have a reliable DNA sample of him.

They could have pulled DNA from the torn piece of shirt that belonged to the last victim, Paul Stine

[Yusuke]

They could find the anonymous male from Wisconsin, and at LEAST solve the letter/phone call portion of Nyleen's case. That's assuming his DNA is on the envelope.

[bell83]

Originally Posted by Yusuke

the letter/phone call portion of Nyleen's case. That's assuming his DNA is on the envelope.

I didn't even think of that one. That would be incredible. Find out who that sick f*** is/was and maybe even find out what happened to her.

[Cori aka ChrisSCrush]

Originally Posted by 1990 UM fan

They could have pulled DNA from the torn piece of shirt that belonged to the last victim, Paul Stine

He wrote letters too, right?

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by unsolved243

I think they should use this for the Orange Sock Murders case (Bobbi Oberholtzer and Annette Schnee). They have the presumed killer's DNA from blood on Bobbi's glove and tissues with her backpack.

I never thought of that. I hope they indeed test that blood now.

Jeff giving Bobbie that key ring may now be the difference in FINALLY getting this killer captured. Fingers crossed.

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by Yusuke

They could find the anonymous male from Wisconsin, and at LEAST solve the letter/phone call portion of Nyleen's case. That's assuming his DNA is on the envelope.

As much as it pains me, I think that's an extreme long shot.

The letter was handled by workers at Child Find of America, law enforcement and Nyleen's family. Even Robert Stack held the letter at the beginning of the segment. Wouldn't all of their DNA cover up the letter writer's?