Othram - General Discussion - #3

[summergirl1]

Honored Othram could assist the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office in identifying a 2012 homicide victim as Warren David Hawkins, born in 1965.

Mendocino County John Doe (2012) has now been Identified

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 2012 John Doe

dnasolves.com

His Doe thread, and he also had a missing person thread mentioned in the Doe thread.. CA - CA - Mendocino Co., Male, 25-45, in shallow grave by Eel River, Oct'12

 

[othram]

Answers are now possible for everyone, regardless of circumstances, historical origins, geography, and time period. However, if we are to truly democratize FGG, we need to strengthen four pillars of FGG—ultra-sensitive DNA profiles, enhanced search capabilities, automated database tools, and public participation. As the year comes to a close, our research team reflects on what is next for forensic genetic genealogy.

Building a Stronger Foundation for Forensic Genetic Genealogy

We need to strengthen four pillars of FGG—ultra-sensitive DNA profiles, enhanced search capabilities, automated database tools, and public participation—to realize the full potential and truly democratize this technology.

research.othram.com

 

[SluethinAway]

Thanks for helping us keep track of all the cases. We are always open to new cases to look at. Let us know in this thread!

Sardis Jane Doe

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

If we can get it on the board, I can work on getting people to donate.

 

[othram]

If you haven't been to our swag store, it's not too late to get some gear for the holidays. Check out, especially, our Othram Pin. Net proceeds help us fund DNASolves cases!

The Othram Pin

The Othram Pin. This metal white pin combines the carbon ring ("unit of life") with the negative space surrounding a person ("the unit of justice"). Combine your love of crime-fighting with gift-giving and show your support for Othram's mission. The net proceeds for every purchased pin are used...

store.othram.com

 

[asmi106082]

I love reading about Othram solving all of these old cases! I have spent the past several years learning how to build family trees based on DNA. I actually never knew my bio father and thought he was someone completely different until I submitted my DNA to Ancestry and used it and several other databases to piece together my paternal side. In fact, I met my paternal aunt for the first time over Thanksgiving.
Anyway, does Othram ever look for citizen volunteers to assist them in at least the genealogy side? I would love to contribute my knowledge to help if I can. I know I’m certainly no Cee Cee Moore but I’ve learned a lot and I would love to contribute to the cause of busting these cold cases wide open if there’s anything I can offer.

Thanks for all you guys do!! @othram

 

[othram]

I love reading about Othram solving all of these old cases! I have spent the past several years learning how to build family trees based on DNA. I actually never knew my bio father and thought he was someone completely different until I submitted my DNA to Ancestry and used it and several other databases to piece together my paternal side. In fact, I met my paternal aunt for the first time over Thanksgiving.
Anyway, does Othram ever look for citizen volunteers to assist them in at least the genealogy side? I would love to contribute my knowledge to help if I can. I know I’m certainly no Cee Cee Moore but I’ve learned a lot and I would love to contribute to the cause of busting these cold cases wide open if there’s anything I can offer.

Thanks for all you guys do!! @othram

We don't have a program yet for citizen volunteers but we are working on something for early next year!

We will post updates, here on Websleuths and our social media accounts.

 

[asmi106082]

We don't have a program yet for citizen volunteers but we are working on something for early next year!

We will post updates, here on Websleuths and our social media accounts.

Fabulous! Thanks for your prompt reply. I’ll keep following (lurking) this thread.

 

[othram]

Bonus Sunday Solve! Honored that Othram could assist the Kane County Sheriff's Office, Utah OCME, & Utah DPS in identifying a 1994 John Doe as James Conklin, born in 1950. After 30 years, Kane County John Doe (1994) is Identified

 

[iamshadow21]

Bonus Sunday Solve! Honored that Othram could assist the Kane County Sheriff's Office, Utah OCME, & Utah DPS in identifying a 1994 John Doe as James Conklin, born in 1950. After 30 years, Kane County John Doe (1994) is Identified

A small query - The solve page lists his NamUs number as UP8515, but the thread here is under UP8514.

Identified! Thread 'UT - Kane Co, State Rd 89, WhtMale 30-55, UP8514, Flagstaff AZ justice court paper, clothes, Feb'94 - James Howard Conklin'

Dec 9, 2011

https://identifyus.org/cases/8514

Circumstances: On February 6, 1994, a human skull was found by hikers approx. one quarter mile south of state road 89. The skull was found in a crevice in a rugged area. Artist reconstruction of what he may have looked like.

White Male, 30-55

Hair: Brown with a touch of gray
Eyes: Color Unknown

Dental: Chart viewable in NamUs. Extensive dental work...

• Irish_Eyes
• Replies: 42
• Forum: Identified!

• 

I know it's a simple typo by someone, but it is important when we're trying to keep track of thousands of unidentified, and I'm not sure who has made the mistake.

 

[othram]

A small query - The solve page lists his NamUs number as UP8515, but the thread here is under UP8514.

Identified! Thread 'UT - Kane Co, State Rd 89, WhtMale 30-55, UP8514, Flagstaff AZ justice court paper, clothes, Feb'94 - James Howard Conklin'

Dec 9, 2011

https://identifyus.org/cases/8514

Circumstances: On February 6, 1994, a human skull was found by hikers approx. one quarter mile south of state road 89. The skull was found in a crevice in a rugged area. Artist reconstruction of what he may have looked like.

White Male, 30-55

Hair: Brown with a touch of gray
Eyes: Color Unknown

Dental: Chart viewable in NamUs. Extensive dental work...

• Irish_Eyes
• Replies: 42
• Forum: Identified!

• 

I know it's a simple typo by someone, but it is important when we're trying to keep track of thousands of unidentified, and I'm not sure who has made the mistake.

You are correct, the UP should be UP8514. This has been corrected in the story. Interestingly, the NamUs page is still up. Seems it should be updated and taken down soon.

 

[othram]

Honored that Othram was able to assist the Peterborough Police Service in identifying a 1998 homicide victim, previously known as the Otonabee River Man, as 38-year-old Gerald Durocher.

After 36 years, Otonabee River Man (1988) is now Identified

Peterborough Police Service Teams with Othram to Identify a 1988 Homicide Victim

dnasolves.com

 

[dotr]

Honored that Othram was able to assist the Peterborough Police Service in identifying a 1998 homicide victim, previously known as the Otonabee River Man, as 38-year-old Gerald Durocher.

After 36 years, Otonabee River Man (1988) is now Identified

Peterborough Police Service Teams with Othram to Identify a 1988 Homicide Victim

dnasolves.com

D

CANADA Post in thread 'Canada - Peterborough, Ont, Male Skull 845UMON, 29-70, in river, Jul'88'

Dec 11, 2024

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/peterborough-otonabee-river-man-identified-as-gerald-durcoher-in-cold-case-breakthrough-1.7407767

Police say the Vendome Hotel in Ottawa was a common hangout for Durocher. The hotel no longer exists. (Peterborough Police Service)
''Many of those who knew Durocher have since died, and even some of the places he was known to frequent don't exist anymore.
That includes the Vendome Hotel that used to stand near Somerset and Rochester streets in Ottawa, described by investigators as a "common watering hole" for Durocher.
McGrath...

• dotr

• 

 

[othram]

A podcast discussion on how forensic genetic genealogy is a lever for criminal justice. Tons more cases solved in a fraction of the time, for a fraction of the cost. This means more answers for victims and families, faster.

David Mittelman: pushing the genomic frontier in 2024

Transforming forensics with whole-genome sequencing

www.razibkhan.com

 

[dotr]

By Steve Mehling Dec. 13, 2024

Meet the TBI Special Agent who’s helping return lost identities to victims of crimes

The Unidentified Human Remains Initiative has restored nearly half a dozen identities to victims throughout the state.

www.wsmv.com

''Elkins works closely with a Texas-based company called Othram Inc. Through forensic genealogical testing, the lab uses commercially available genetic profiles, like through GEDMatch and FamilyTreeDNA, to create the family profile for the victim. Those companies ask customers when they send in their DNA if they’d be willing to share their profiles with law enforcement to help with cold cases.

“The more we understand about the person around the time of their death and what was going on in their life, the more we can understand the circumstances that led to their death,” Elkins said.''

 

[othram]

By Steve Mehling Dec. 13, 2024

Meet the TBI Special Agent who’s helping return lost identities to victims of crimes

The Unidentified Human Remains Initiative has restored nearly half a dozen identities to victims throughout the state.

www.wsmv.com

''Elkins works closely with a Texas-based company called Othram Inc. Through forensic genealogical testing, the lab uses commercially available genetic profiles, like through GEDMatch and FamilyTreeDNA, to create the family profile for the victim. Those companies ask customers when they send in their DNA if they’d be willing to share their profiles with law enforcement to help with cold cases.

“The more we understand about the person around the time of their death and what was going on in their life, the more we can understand the circumstances that led to their death,” Elkins said.''

We truly enjoy working with TBI. The agency has been great and Agent Elkins especially is an all-star investigator. We have worked UHRs with TBI but we are also working suspect cases.

 

[othram]

Honored that Othram could assist the Prince William County Police Department in identifying a 1990 John Doe as Raymond Smith Martin, born in 1936.

After 34 years, Prince William County Doe (1990) is Identified

Prince William County Police Department Teams with Othram to Identify a 1990 John Doe

dnasolves.com

 

[dotr]

Honored that Othram could assist the Prince William County Police Department in identifying a 1990 John Doe as Raymond Smith Martin, born in 1936.

After 34 years, Prince William County Doe (1990) is Identified

Prince William County Police Department Teams with Othram to Identify a 1990 John Doe

dnasolves.com

VA Post in thread 'VA - Woodbridge, WhtMale 30-70, UP6474, clothes, Reeboks, glasses, May'90'

Dec 14, 2024

Identified as Raymond Smith Martin, born in 1936.

After 34 years, Prince William County Doe (1990) is Identified

Prince William County Police Department Teams with Othram to Identify a 1990 John Doe

dnasolves.com

• DS2021

• 

 

[othram]

Honored that Othram could assist the Ottawa Police Service and Toronto Police Service in identifying the suspect in the 1996 murder of Christopher Smith. This case is part of a longstanding collaboration between the TPS forensic genetic genealogy team and Othram.

Suspect in the 1996 Murder of Christopher Smith is Identified

Ottawa Police Service and Toronto Police Service Team with Othram to Identify the Suspect in a 1996 Homicide

dnasolves.com

 

[HmmMysterious]

Honored that Othram could assist the Ottawa Police Service and Toronto Police Service in identifying the suspect in the 1996 murder of Christopher Smith. This case is part of a longstanding collaboration between the TPS forensic genetic genealogy team and Othram.

Suspect in the 1996 Murder of Christopher Smith is Identified

Ottawa Police Service and Toronto Police Service Team with Othram to Identify the Suspect in a 1996 Homicide

dnasolves.com

Sounds like a random stabbing. No mention of Christopher's killer, Lawrence Diehl, having any sort of relationship with him. Sad and terrifying.

 

[othram]

Sounds like a random stabbing. No mention of Christopher's killer, Lawrence Diehl, having any sort of relationship with him. Sad and terrifying.

This is the kind of case that would have never solved without DNA testing.