DNA Solves Cold Cases/Parabon Nanolabs & GED/Match.

[PaulaDC]

Murder from 1969 and the suspect is still alive.
____________

When Mary Scott missed work the next day — Nov. 20, 1969 — a friend went to her neatly kept City Heights apartment. She found furniture overturned, chairs flipped, an ashtray smashed.

Scott was nude on the living room floor, her nightgown ripped off. She had been raped and strangled.

Five decades after San Diego woman was raped and strangled, DNA and genealogy lead to an arrest


San Diego police announced Tuesday they’d arrested a 75-year-old Pennsylvania man on suspicion of murder in Scott’s killing. John Sipos was taken into custody Saturday at his home in Schnecksville, not far from Allentown on the east side of the state.

Sipos remained jailed in Lehigh County, Pa., on Tuesday and was awaiting extradition to San Diego County. His attorney, John Waldron, said he is still evaluating how to address the extradition matter, but has not yet met Sipos in person. The Pennsylvania-based attorney said the jail’s COVID-19 precautions mean a three-week quarantine for his client, who he said has medical concerns including diabetes and three prior heart attacks.

Police say Scott’s killer left behind DNA evidence. That, coupled with forensic genealogy, helped lead them to Sipos.

Five decades after San Diego woman was raped and strangled, DNA and genealogy lead to an arrest

Not only did he live an "easy life" he lived it on taxpayers dollars! Piece of dirt. Now everyone knows what he is. Yay DNA!

 

[momsof3]

SBM
The Pennsylvania-based attorney said the jail’s COVID-19 precautions mean a three-week quarantine for his client, who he said has medical concerns including diabetes and three prior heart attacks.

This quote makes me so mad - I feel like all these guys who had decades of freedom have attorneys who make the "now he is old and infirm and has a heart condition" argument. Well, it would have made us all much happier to put your client away when he was young and healthy! Cry me a river - your last few years will be uncomfortable - but you won't be raped and murdered in the prime of your life!

 

[Cascadia Mount]

After 50 Years, a Suspect Emerges in a Cold Murder Case

 

[Legally Bland]

Originally posted by @dotr:

Arrest! rbbm.
Oct 29 2020
Green Bay Police announce arrest in 1986 homicide cold case

This is the last known photo of Lisa Holstead before she was murdered in August of 1986. She disappeared less than a week after this photo was taken.

GREEN BAY (NBC 26) -- Green Bay Police announced Thursday an arrest in a 34-year-old cold case homicide.

Police said officers have made an arrest in the 1986 homicide of Lisa Holstead. Holstead’s body was found near what is now Ken Eures Nature Park in Green Bay on August 12th, 1986.

Police announced 57 year old Lou Archie Griffin has been arrested on multiple charges related to the homicide of Lisa Holstead.''

''The case is still being investigated. A news briefing on the case is scheduled for next week''.

Police make arrest in 1986 Green Bay homicide
October 29th 2020

Lou Archie Griffin (Brown Co. Jail)

''Police say recent developments in the case and physical evidence linked Griffin to the homicide''
''At this time, officials will not release any other information''.

A press briefing is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2.
.

WS thread:
WI - WI - Lisa Holstead, 22, Green Bay, 12 Aug 1986

 

[Disco1]

Parabon Nanolabs has received permit from the New York Department of Health (NYS DoH) to employ its DNA Analysis technology and services to help LE agencies in New York state solve cases, both cold and active! It is the first permit issued by NYS DoH for use of genetic genealogy and other DNA technologies for forensic investigations in New York state.

Parabon Receives First Permit Granted in New York for Advanced DNA Analysis

 

[Disco1]

NYPD won’t work with Virginia firm that creates digital police sketches with DNA analysis
By MOLLY CRANE-NEWMAN
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
SEP 17, 2020 AT 11:04 PM

 

[Suglo]

NYPD won’t work with Virginia firm that creates digital police sketches with DNA analysis
By MOLLY CRANE-NEWMAN
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
SEP 17, 2020 AT 11:04 PM

Link:
NYPD won’t work with Virginia firm that creates digital police sketches with DNA analysis

 

[Disco1]

I’m done! I seriously have prayed and researched and hoped for ten years to find the LISK. After reading this article, I give up! The NYPD doesn’t want to solve it! I’m so hurt! Thanks for utilizing all of the available resources NY!!!!

 

[Legally Bland]

I’m done! I seriously have prayed and researched and hoped for ten years to find the LISK. After reading this article, I give up! The NYPD doesn’t want to solve it! I’m so hurt! Thanks for utilizing all of the available resources NY!!!!

Hi, sorry you feel like that. I'm in the UK and can't read the article. What is the reason they won't use Parabon, as I thought they'd been accredited in NY?

 

[Suglo]

Hi, sorry you feel like that. I'm in the UK and can't read the article. What is the reason they won't use Parabon, as I thought they'd been accredited in NY?

No reasoning given. From the article:

But the NYPD won’t be working with Parabon, said de Blasio press secretary Bill Neidhart — who added that the department "has no plans to do so.”
The NYPD has not responded to requests for comment. It has previously touted its success working with Parabon in cold case investigations.
NYPD won’t work with Virginia firm that creates digital police sketches with DNA analysis

 

[dotr]

No reasoning given. From the article:

But the NYPD won’t be working with Parabon, said de Blasio press secretary Bill Neidhart — who added that the department "has no plans to do so.”
The NYPD has not responded to requests for comment. It has previously touted its success working with Parabon in cold case investigations.
NYPD won’t work with Virginia firm that creates digital police sketches with DNA analysis

5 Aug 2020
Parabon Receives First Permit Granted in New York for Advanced DNA Analysis
''FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reston, VA — Parabon NanoLabs, Inc., a DNA technology company known worldwide for revolutionizing DNA-based crime solving, announced today the company has received a forensic laboratory permit from the New York Department of Health (NYS DoH) to employ its Snapshot® Advanced DNA Analysis technologies on forensic DNA samples originating in New York. The permit was granted following an extensive review by NYS DoH of the forensic validation results for Snapshot's procedures. Additionally, officials from the NYS DoH conducted an inspection of the company's facilities and conducted an on-site audit as part of this process. It is the first permit issued by NYS DoH for use of genetic genealogy and other Snapshot technologies for forensic investigations''

From 2019. rbbm.
Her sister was murdered in 1980. New DNA methods could crack the case, but NY won’t allow it.
''No private lab has this permit for investigative genetic genealogy. That has left New York authorities unable to join the national rush of law enforcement agencies using investigative genetic genealogy to reexamine decades-old murders and rapes.''

''So far just one company that does genetic genealogy work has applied for a New York State permit: Virginia-based Parabon Nanolabs. The New York State Health Department will not say when, or whether, it will grant Parabon the permit.''

''New York appears to be the only state to restrict the use of investigative genetic genealogy by law enforcement. The regulation is just the latest example of the way investigative genetic genealogy’s breakneck growth has unfolded without a consistent set of rules about how it can be used, and without privacy protections to prevent misuse of genetic information.

Another obstacle to solving cold cases surfaced earlier this year when an online consumer DNA database, called GEDmatch, which was key to identifying unknown suspects, changed its terms of service in response to privacy concerns. The change made it more difficult for law enforcement to search GEDmatch’s database.''

 

[Legally Bland]

5 Aug 2020
Parabon Receives First Permit Granted in New York for Advanced DNA Analysis
''FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reston, VA — Parabon NanoLabs, Inc., a DNA technology company known worldwide for revolutionizing DNA-based crime solving, announced today the company has received a forensic laboratory permit from the New York Department of Health (NYS DoH) to employ its Snapshot® Advanced DNA Analysis technologies on forensic DNA samples originating in New York. The permit was granted following an extensive review by NYS DoH of the forensic validation results for Snapshot's procedures. Additionally, officials from the NYS DoH conducted an inspection of the company's facilities and conducted an on-site audit as part of this process. It is the first permit issued by NYS DoH for use of genetic genealogy and other Snapshot technologies for forensic investigations''

From 2019. rbbm.
Her sister was murdered in 1980. New DNA methods could crack the case, but NY won’t allow it.
''No private lab has this permit for investigative genetic genealogy. That has left New York authorities unable to join the national rush of law enforcement agencies using investigative genetic genealogy to reexamine decades-old murders and rapes.''

''So far just one company that does genetic genealogy work has applied for a New York State permit: Virginia-based Parabon Nanolabs. The New York State Health Department will not say when, or whether, it will grant Parabon the permit.''

''New York appears to be the only state to restrict the use of investigative genetic genealogy by law enforcement. The regulation is just the latest example of the way investigative genetic genealogy’s breakneck growth has unfolded without a consistent set of rules about how it can be used, and without privacy protections to prevent misuse of genetic information.

Another obstacle to solving cold cases surfaced earlier this year when an online consumer DNA database, called GEDmatch, which was key to identifying unknown suspects, changed its terms of service in response to privacy concerns. The change made it more difficult for law enforcement to search GEDmatch’s database.''

I really don't get it. If they've got a permit to do this work then why the heck not use them?

 

[Suglo]

I really don't get it. If they've got a permit to do this work then why the heck not use them?

I wonder if NYPD and Parabon had a falling out at some point. The rest of New York will use them but not this particular police department. Hmmm.

 

[Seattle1]

dbm/broken quote

 

[Seattle1]

Ongoing - Closing arguments in the trial of the murder of Michelle Martinko tomorrow (ETA: tomorrow is Feb 24 2020):
IA - Michelle Martinko, 18, stabbed to death, Cedar Rapids, 19 Dec 1979 *Arrest*

Jerry Burns: Man convicted in Michelle Martinko's death sentenced to life in prison

Aug 7, 2020

The state on Friday denied Iowa cold case suspect Jerry Lynn Burns' request for a new trial and sentenced him to life in prison without parole for the 1979 murder of Michelle Martinko.

[..]

Burns was arrested nearly four decades later in December 2018 after genetic testing matched his DNA to blood found at the crime scene.

[..]

Spies also filed a motion for a new trial in May, claiming Burns' constitutional rights were violated by the admission of his statements to investigators the day of his arrest and the use of his and his family's DNA.

[..]

Additionally, the state's search and seizure of Burns' and his family members' DNA is a violation of the Fourth and 14th Amendments, according to the motion.

Investigators gathered a DNA sample off of a straw Burns left behind at a Manchester Pizza Ranch in October 2018. They were able to identify Burns as a suspect with help from a Parabon-NanoLabs database, which had access to hundreds of thousands of genetic samples.

 

[Seattle1]

I really don't get it. If they've got a permit to do this work then why the heck not use them?

I wonder if NYPD and Parabon had a falling out at some point. The rest of New York will use them but not this particular police department. Hmmm.

Actually, it was the entire state of NY that could not use a private forensic lab such as Parabon unless granted a permit by NY Dept of Health. Reportedly, the first permit was not granted by NY DoH until Aug 2020 after a thorough review. Technically, that's probably not a bad turn-around given Parabon didn't start marketing their services until 2018.

Hopefully, this permit will remove the obstacle that's prevented testing for Eve Wilkowitz (1980) murder.
____________

Because public crime laboratories aren’t equipped to do the advanced DNA analysis required of the newly popular technique, law enforcement authorities must seek help from private laboratories, which are regulated by the New York State Department of Health. Under a decades-old regulation from a time when DNA analysis first became common in criminal cases, private labs are required to obtain permits before they can do such forensics work in New York.

No private lab has this permit for investigative genetic genealogy. That has left New York authorities unable to join the national rush of law enforcement agencies using investigative genetic genealogy to reexamine decades-old murders and rapes.

Her sister was murdered in 1980. New DNA methods could crack the case, but NY won’t allow it.

Parabon Receives First Permit Granted in New York for Advanced DNA Analysis

 

[Legally Bland]

This one seems solvable:
_____

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Fawn Cox was raped and murdered in 1989. She was just 16 years old.

No advanced testing or genetic tracing for suspects has taken place on the DNA left behind. Investigators say KCPD doesn’t have the right equipment or funding for DNA testing.

The family has offered to pay for the testing by raising community funds- a move that other families have done across the nation-- but that’s not allowed by KCPD. So, the money which could pay for the test just sits.

The department maintains that there needs to be an overall program to fund all genetic genealogy testing and not just fund one case for answers.

“It’s so hard. I understand the family, you know, ‘I want to get this moving.’ But from a police department perspective, we treat every case the same,” said Chief Rick Smith.

[...]

“We need to see this solved. And money is their excuse? I don’t understand it. It’s just sitting there. And now there this all this advancement in technology. Why have they not taken care of that?” Felisa Cox said.

Recently, an outside non-profit group tried to step in and help with testing. But the department turned down that offer too.

“It is frustrating. I’m not bashing law enforcement either. I work in law enforcement and have been for 21 years, I get both sides. But this is such a solvable case! I cannot understand what the holdup is.” Della Williams said.

Kansas City family questions lack of advanced DNA testing in cold case

Fawn's thread:
MO - MO - Fawn Cox, 16, Kansas City, 26 July 1989

Now solved:

Advanced DNA testing revealed the rapist and killer is Cox's own cousin, Donald Cox Jr. He died years ago from an overdose.

This is the first murder case solved by the Kansas City Police Department using advanced genetic genealogy techniques like what was used in the Golden State Killer case.

New DNA technology helps solve 31-year-old Kansas City murder case

WS Thread:
MO - MO - Fawn Cox, 16, Kansas City, 26 July 1989

 

[lisette]

Even though it’s good to know what happened, it must be very hard for the family to find out that it was an extended family member that did this!

 

[DSCrime]

Even though it’s good to know what happened, it must be very hard for the family to find out that it was an extended family member that did this!

A devastating answer, to know a relative did it. Just heartbreaking.

 

[Betty P]

Now solved:

Advanced DNA testing revealed the rapist and killer is Cox's own cousin, Donald Cox Jr. He died years ago from an overdose.

This is the first murder case solved by the Kansas City Police Department using advanced genetic genealogy techniques like what was used in the Golden State Killer case.

New DNA technology helps solve 31-year-old Kansas City murder case

WS Thread:
MO - MO - Fawn Cox, 16, Kansas City, 26 July 1989

Oh, my. Such a sad story and a lot of us here wanted so badly for her case to be solved. At last it is and it's even sadder. Bless Fawn and her family, especially her sister who worked so hard to keep Fawn's case in the news media.