DNA testing
Coverage of DNA testing in the Nexus archive.
- Man charged in 1988 cold case murder of his pregnant wife
Joel Bremer was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in 1988 for the death of his pregnant wife, Ronna Bremer, whose skull was identified decades later through DNA testing. After multiple case reopenings and closures, Bremer was arrested in 2026 based on evidence from 1989 and prior domestic assault records.
- Man faces charges in 85-year-old woman’s 1987 violent rape in Deerfield Beach
A 60-year-old man, Gregory Rollison, faces charges for a 1987 violent rape and burglary of an 85-year-old woman in Deerfield Beach. DNA testing and advances in technology led to his identification and extradition from California to Florida, over three decades after the crime.
- DNA testing leads to arrest of man suspected in Houston sexual assaults over decades-long period
DNA testing led to the arrest of Phillip Cerf, 62, who has been charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault for alleged crimes occurring between 1996 and 2016 in Houston.
- Nancy Guthrie update: DNA couldn't be profiled from crime scene hair sample, sheriff says
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed investigators could not obtain a DNA profile from a hair sample found at Nancy Guthrie’s home, despite testing by the FBI and a California lab. The case, involving the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of 'Today' co-host Savannah Guthrie, remains active with ongoing DNA analysis and a reward of over $1.2 million for information leading to an arrest.
- Fertility doctor sued for allegedly using his own sperm during treatments without patient consent
A fertility doctor is facing a lawsuit for allegedly using his own sperm during fertility treatments without patient consent, resulting in two children born to a patient. DNA testing confirmed the doctor as the biological father of the two daughters, leading to claims of fraud, medical battery, and emotional harm.
- Fertility doctor sued for allegedly using his own sperm during treatments without patient consent
A fertility doctor is facing a lawsuit alleging he secretly used his own sperm during treatments without patient consent, resulting in pregnancies. The lawsuit claims the doctor substituted his genetic material during procedures, leading to the births of two children whose identities were revealed through DNA testing.
- Charlie Kirk murder case as 'straight-forward' as it gets, prosecutors argue as case nears trial decision
Utah prosecutors argue that Tyler Robinson's case should proceed to trial, citing his admissions to friends, DNA evidence, surveillance video, and eyewitness testimony linking him to the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. The filing emphasizes that the evidence meets probable cause for all seven charges.
- Harrowing details of hiker Brittany Clark’s alligator attack death revealed in DNA test results: report
DNA testing identified the alligator responsible for fatally attacking hiker Brittany Clark in Florida. Clark, 31, died after her arms were severely injured during the incident at Little Big Econ State Forest on June 28, with trappers later killing the alligator.
- DNA from bones on a Revolutionary War battlefield solves the case of 'America's oldest John Doe'
DNA testing and forensic investigation identified Pvt. John Pumphrey, a Maryland teenager who died in the 1780 Battle of Camden, solving a 246-year-old mystery. Collaborative efforts between FHD Forensics and the Richland County Coroner’s Office used genetic analysis to confirm his identity, allowing him to be reinterred with military honors.
- DNA from bones on a Revolutionary War battlefield solves the case of 'America's oldest John Doe'
DNA testing and forensic investigation identified Pvt. John Pumphrey, a Maryland teenager who died in the 1780 Battle of Camden, as 'Camden 9B' after 246 years. Forensic teams extracted DNA from a temporal bone to solve the case, reuniting the remains with history ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary.
- 2 executions scheduled for same day in Florida for the first time in more than 60 years
Florida is set to execute two death row inmates, James Aren Duckett and Dominick Anthony Occhicone, on July 28 for the first time in over 60 years. Duckett, a former police officer convicted of murdering an 11-year-old girl in 1987, and Occhicone, convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 1986, would be the 11th and 12th inmates executed in Florida this year if the scheduled executions proceed.
- BSO identifies Georgia woman found murdered in the Everglades 43 years ago; killer still unknown
The Broward Sheriff’s Office identified Shelia Ann Nichols, a Georgia woman whose skeletal remains were found in the Everglades in 1983, using DNA testing funded by a federal grant. Her murder remains unsolved, and detectives are seeking public help to identify her killer.
- JonBenet Ramsey's father pushes for new DNA testing after prominent Colorado forensic scientist admitted to several charges
JonBenet Ramsey's father is pushing for new DNA testing after a prominent Colorado forensic scientist admitted to several charges.
- Prosecutors plan to play redacted statements from roommate of defendant in Charlie Kirk's killing
Utah prosecutors plan to play redacted statements from Lance Twiggs, the roommate of Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Defense attorneys argue the public release of these statements could undermine Robinson's right to a fair trial, while prosecutors allege Robinson confessed via a note and text to targeting Kirk due to his 'hatred.'
- DNA evidence from Charlie Kirk assassination disputed by defendant’s lawyers
Tyler Robinson, accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, faces disputed DNA evidence linking him to the suspected murder weapon. Defense lawyers challenge the reliability of FBI DNA testing, while prosecutors argue the evidence meets trial thresholds. A surveillance video and DNA findings from a rifle and towel at the scene are central to the case.
- DNA evidence from Charlie Kirk assassination disputed by defendant’s lawyers
Lawyers for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk are disputing the reliability of DNA testing that prosecutors claim links the defendant to the suspected murder weapon. The defense is challenging the validity of the DNA evidence as part of the legal proceedings.
- UK-based couple say overseas surrogacy agency made twins using wrong sperm
A UK-based couple discovered they had no biological connection to their twins after an overseas surrogacy agency mistakenly used donor sperm. The couple, identified as PP and QQ, learned of the error during DNA tests required for the children's British citizenship application.
- Who fathered this child?, By Wole Olaoye
The article discusses how DNA testing can determine paternity with 99.99% accuracy and notes that Nigerians are calling for similar methods in governance due to recent shocking events.
- Alex Murdaugh faces state pushback on Maggie DNA testing and prison laptop request
South Carolina prosecutors oppose Alex Murdaugh's requests for independent DNA testing on Maggie Murdaugh's fingernail clippings and electronic access to case materials during his retrial. The defense seeks a retrial after the state Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions due to jury taint from a clerk's conduct.
- Alex Murdaugh's true crime saga continues as he heads to court for hearing on murder retrial
Alex Murdaugh appears in court for a pretrial hearing on his murder retrial after his convictions were overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court. The hearing focuses on setting deadlines and trial dates, while his defense requests to wear civilian clothes, use a laptop for evidence review, and test DNA found under his wife's fingernails. The defense also seeks to move the trial out of Colleton County.
- Alex Murdaugh’s true crime saga continues as he heads to court for hearing on murder retrial
Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions for killing his wife and son were overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court, leading to a retrial hearing to set trial dates. His lawyers seek to have him wear civilian clothes and avoid shackles, while also requesting DNA testing and a trial location outside Colleton County. Murdaugh denies the murders but has admitted to other crimes including theft and fraud.
- JonBenét Ramsey's father questions DNA testing after ex-CBI analyst pleads guilty
JonBenét Ramsey's father questions DNA testing in his daughter's case. An ex-CBI analyst has pled guilty, and Ramsey's family continues to seek answers.
- Mystery of remains found inside sleeping bag in Olympic park solved after 26 years
Human remains found in Olympic National Park in 2000 were identified 26 years later as Joseph Louis Serrao Jr., a Hawaii native last contacted by family in 1998. National Park Service investigators used DNA testing to confirm his identity and reunite the remains with his family.
- Suspect arrested in decades-old Southern California violent kidnapping cold case
A suspect, Bobby Rollins Jr., was arrested in a 36-year-old kidnapping and robbery case in Oxnard, Southern California. DNA testing led authorities to identify the 55-year-old Long Beach resident as the suspect.
- Missing B.Tech student from Hyderabad presumed dead after body recovered in Prakasam district well
A missing B.Tech student from Hyderabad is presumed dead after a body was recovered from a well in Prakasam district. Personal belongings and identity details of the deceased match those of Rahul, though DNA testing is pending for confirmation.
- Girl known as 'Chelsea Jane Doe' ID'd 26 years after mutilated body found hundreds of miles from home state
Tiffany Bradley, a 16-year-old from Allentown, Pennsylvania, was identified 26 years after her murder through advanced DNA testing and investigative genetic genealogy. Her remains were found in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and her killer, Eugene McCollom, had already been convicted. Authorities confirmed her identity after decades of investigation, providing closure to her family.
- Nancy Guthrie sheriff defends pace of investigation more than 4 months into search
Sheriff Mark Nanos attributed delays in the Nancy Guthrie abduction investigation to lab work, scientific protocols, and judicial procedures. Forensic analysis of DNA and video evidence remains ongoing, with no arrests or public suspects identified. The sheriff emphasized adherence to scientific rules to avoid wrongful arrests.
- Partial human remains found on survey site in San Bernardino County
Partial human remains were discovered at a survey site in San Bernardino County. Authorities plan to use DNA testing to identify the remains.
- DNA cracks 35-year cold case mystery as accused killer’s new name melts under cops’ heat
California authorities arrested James Lawhead Jr. in a 35-year-old cold case involving the 1991 murder of Cindy Wanner, who was found strangled in a remote area after disappearing with her 11-month-old child. Lawhead, who had prior sex crime convictions, was living under an alias in Arizona, while his sister Terry Lawhead Steele was also arrested for aiding him.
- Mezcal worm in a bottle DNA test reveals a surprise
DNA testing revealed that the larvae found in mezcal bottles are all agave redworm moth caterpillars, resolving a scientific mystery. However, the discovery raises concerns about sustainability due to growing demand for mezcal and edible larvae, which could threaten wild populations and agave plants.
- The Yogurt Shop Murders
The 30-year-old yogurt shop murders in Austin, Texas, which claimed four teenage girls, were linked to Robert Eugene Brashers through DNA testing in September 2025. Four men wrongfully accused in the case were exonerated in February 2026, and the City of Austin agreed to a $35 million settlement split among them in May 2026.