IS THIS METHOD BEING CONSIDERED FOR WALKER COUNTY JANE DOE?
Currently, there is a CODIS DNA Profile for WCJD. CODIS is the FBI’s DNA Database, and only looks at 20 base-pairs on the DNA strand, in comparison with the DNA profiles of millions of persons in the CODIS missing persons database. However, a CODIS profile cannot be used for forensic genealogy. A genealogical profile requires over 600,000 base pairs, and there is currently not enough of WCJD’s raw DNA in storage to construct a genealogical DNA profile.
Recently, the Walker County Sheriff Department sent WCJD’s mandible to DNA Solutions in Oklahoma, but was unable to extract enough usable DNA for a genealogical profile. This is not uncommon when dealing with bones of persons deceased for decades. Other options are currently being considered, including labs that specialize in more difficult extractions.