Othram - General Discussion

[othram]

Yeah, the only company I've seen work with Virginia before is Parabon, their latest ID in Virginia being back last summer. But when I tried to call to suggest this company or the DDP, the secretary, understandably, wouldn't put me through to Quantico's ME, but I could've been reaching out to the wrong person entirely, so who knows.

There are multiple companies that work in Virginia

 

[dotr]

Othram is referenced in this article.
April 26 2021
Montgomery County continues cold case efforts including 9 unsolved cases in the Magnolia area
''There are at least 60 other cold cases involving missing persons or murder in Montgomery County, according to records from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. David Mittelman, CEO of Othram, a forensic lab in The Woodlands, said cases grow cold when there is no further evidence or leads. Police departments often have limited budgets for cold cases, and they usually rely on federal or state grants to fund the resources to investigate them.''

“You send your DNA to [the state] crime lab—best-case scenario you’re looking at a matter of three, four months ... to get any kind of answer back,” Texas Ranger Robert Bess said.

Despite the roadblocks, cold cases in Montgomery County have made headway. In February, Montgomery County Forensic Services, in partnership with Othram, used DNA technology to solve a 2016 cold case regarding an unidentified man in The Woodlands. And on Feb. 2, the sheriff’s office launched a new regional public information initiative, known as Cold Case Warm Up.''

''Traditionally, Mittelman said forensic evidence is uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System, a national database. CODIS collects 20 markers from DNA to construct a profile, and it can be used to match persons if their DNA or a close relative’s DNA is in the system.

But Othram’s technology takes thousands of markers from DNA to reconstruct a genealogical profile that can be used to identify even distant relatives.''

Ws link below is one of the cases reference in the same article..
TX - TX - Danielle Sleeper, 32, Magnolia, 22 March 2015

 

[JovanSrna]

The first four victims of Patrick Kearney are unidentified and it's not clear whether a few of them were even located. As for the others, not sure who holds their remains. One was killed in Mexico but these remains were recovered after Kearney unveiled the location. They're obscure victims from over half a century ago. Could you inquire about these victims with agencies that might have some knowledge? My fear is that they'll be unidentified forever due to sheer neglect to put out more information about them.

 

[othram]

A lot of the crimes that stand to benefit from forensic genealogy are sexual assaults. For those that are interested, here is an audio interview with Ilse Knecht, who leads the Joyful Heart Foundation’s initiatives to drive policy and advocacy to support victims of sexual assault. She also touches on unsolved cases and how forensic genealogy will help solve more crimes.

Fireside Chat: Ilse Knect

 

[othram]

Folks, we have a new case we will be starting soon.

DNASOLVES: Who is Mary Anderson (1996)?
WS: WA - WA - Seattle, WhtFem 159UFWA, 33-45, alias 'Mary Anderson', Oct'96

 

[JovanSrna]

Yes! One of the most intriguing cases in my book. I'll shill for donations.

 

[othram]

Yes! One of the most intriguing cases in my book. I'll shill for donations.

She said she had no family, but surely there are folks related to her, even if not directly...

 

[Sweetluv]

I agree Othram....someone on that family tree is out there!

 

[djanga]

Wow, new identification Remains Found in North Carolina Storage Unit Identified as Turtle Mountain Chippewa Woman Missing for 15 Years | Currents

 

[othram]

Wow, new identification Remains Found in North Carolina Storage Unit Identified as Turtle Mountain Chippewa Woman Missing for 15 Years | Currents

More news on that to follow soon

 

[dotr]

Wow, new identification Remains Found in North Carolina Storage Unit Identified as Turtle Mountain Chippewa Woman Missing for 15 Years | Currents

Posted link on thread, thanks!
NC - NC - Durham Co., WhtFem, UP15960, 25-35, in plastic storage container, Oct'16

 

[othram]

Not sure if there is a thread for this case, but we are really happy to announce a positive outcome for the decades-long search for Mary Catherine Edwards's rapist and killer: After 26 years, Mary Catherine Edwards' Killer is Arrested

 

[Wilma_W]

Not sure if there is a thread for this case, but we are really happy to announce a positive outcome for the decades-long search for Mary Catherine Edwards's rapist and killer: After 26 years, Mary Catherine Edwards' Killer is Arrested

That is amazing!

Here's an article about his arrest. She was a bridesmaid at his wedding - ugh! It was a horrible thing to do anyway but that just takes it to another level.

DNA evidence leads to arrest in 1995 murder of Beaumont teacher | 12newsnow.com

 

[othram]

That is amazing!

Here's an article about his arrest. She was a bridesmaid at his wedding - ugh! It was a horrible thing to do anyway but that just takes it to another level.

DNA evidence leads to arrest in 1995 murder of Beaumont teacher | 12newsnow.com

Everything about this case is so terrible. But at least the investigators never forgot about her and now this case will go to court and justice will be possible.

 

[coffeeandacig]

Everything about this case is so terrible. But at least the investigators never forgot about her and now this case will go to court and justice will be possible.

Congratulations on getting the bad guy! May her family and friends find peace in knowing he didn't get away with it.

 

[othram]

Another case we are helping with; not sure if there is a thread on WS for it. The case is with the RCMP: 5 years later, ID of body found in Yukon's Lake Laberge still a mystery

 

[dotr]

Another case we are helping with; not sure if there is a thread on WS for it. The case is with the RCMP: 5 years later, ID of body found in Yukon's Lake Laberge still a mystery

Could not locate a thread atm, started one..
CANADA - Canada- Male,17-34, 5'1''-5'4'', Whitehorse, Yukon, May 2016, *Othram*

 

[othram]

Could not locate a thread atm, started one..
CANADA - Canada- Male,17-34, 5'1''-5'4'', Whitehorse, Yukon, May 2016, *Othram*

Thank you!

 

[othram]

This case, the 1980 double murder in San Bernardino, was reported already but we only now were able to share our role. We helped the Sheriff's Office and Barbara Rae-Venter: After 40 years, two San Bernardino murder victims have been identified.

 

[Sweetluv]

Othram...thank you for all you do! 2021 is the year for identifications!