Genetic Genealogy
Coverage of Genetic Genealogy in the Nexus archive.
- Arlington cold case murder suspect IDed with drop of blood, discarded fork
Arlington police arrested Mayra Valasquez for the 2012 cold case murder of Irasema Chavez using genetic genealogy to match DNA from a crime scene blood droplet to a discarded plastic fork. The method linked Valasquez to the crime through forensic analysis of biological evidence.
- Baby found in campground toilet in 1997 in Michigan ID'd through genetic genealogy
A baby found dead in a portable toilet at a Michigan campground in 1997 was identified through genetic genealogy. A similar discovery of a baby in a music festival toilet three decades later prompted renewed attention to the case.
- Gilgo Beach serial killer joins infamous group of monsters as he opens ghoulish mind to FBI
Rex Heuermann, the Gilgo Beach serial killer, has pleaded guilty to eight murders and agreed to be evaluated by the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. His cooperation could provide insights into serial killer psychology, joining cases studied by the unit including Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer.