Police remove personal items from Idaho murder scene
Fox News’ Alexis McAdams reports that Moscow police have recovered the personal belongings of four University of Idaho students from the crime scene, as families grapple with a lack of answers nearly a month after the murders.
As the investigation into the murders of four University of Idaho students enters its fourth week, law enforcement officials are trying to identify the killer through investigative genetic genealogy, which combines advanced DNA analysis with traditional genealogical research. a new field.
Authorities collected 113 pieces of physical evidence at the scene to be tested by the Idaho State Police Forensic Science Service, which “worked 24/7 in the lab” to get results as quickly as possible.
Investigators typically compare unidentified DNA samples from crime scenes to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a database containing genetic samples from known criminals using traditional STR DNA analysis.
“The comparison with CODIS is very quick. If they had matched, I think they would have made an arrest by now, so I think we can assume that they are at least considering using research genetic genealogy,” CeCe said. Moore, Chief Geneticist This was reported by the genealogist of Parabon NanoLabs.
THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDER CASE: WHAT WE KNOW
An Idaho State Police forensics team examines evidence and seeks tips in Moscow, Idaho, Nov. 21, 2022.
(for Derek Shook)
“It depends on how quickly they know when it’s done in CODIS.”
If traditional STR DNA analysis doesn’t match CODIS, investigators can analyze more than half a million DNA single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, to identify possible distant relatives of an unknown suspect.
Genetic genealogists can then reverse-engineer an unknown person’s family tree using traditional genealogy and narrow it down to a potentially suspect person.
After law enforcement identifies a suspect using genetic genealogy, it usually tries to secretly obtain a new DNA sample to confirm the lead.
Investigators in hazmat suits examine the scene of a quadruple homicide near the University of Idaho campus.
(for Derek Shook)
For example, investigators recently took a fresh look at the 1975 murder of 19-year-old Lindy Sue Biechler in Pennsylvania using genetic genealogy. The man’s DNA was recovered from Bixler’s underwear, but it didn’t produce a hit on CODIS for decades.
Moore and his team at Parabon Labs used genetic ancestry to analyze DNA from the crime scene and identify 68-year-old David Sinopoli as the suspect. Investigators secretly obtained new DNA from a coffee cup that Sinopoli threw in the trash in February, and it came back as a match to DNA from the crime scene. Sinopoli was arrested and is now charged with murder.
“They always need an extra step to collect DNA, and it’s usually hidden because they don’t want to tip anybody off,” Moore said.
A split photo shows the crime scene and victims, left: University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, 20, and Hana Kernodle, 20, and Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.
(For Derek Shook / Instagram/ @xanakernodle/ @kayleegoncalves)
Dozens of FBI, Idaho State Police and Moscow Police Department officers gathered evidence at the off-campus home where 20-year-old Hana Kernodle, 20-year-old Ethan Chapin, 21-year-old Madison Mogen and 21-year-old Kayleigh Goncalves were killed. 13.
Idaho Murders: ‘Rage’, ‘Random’ Look Like TED BUNDY KILLINGS, Former Attorney Says
Investigators leave a home in Moscow, Idaho, Nov. 22, 2022, where four people were killed Nov. 13.
(Audrey Conklin/)
Investigators can obtain DNA samples from hair, skin cells or tissue left under the fingernails of victims, but the suspect’s blood can also be found at the scene.
“Typically, when I’ve worked with stabbings, if someone gets stabbed enough times, the knife almost always slips,” said Moore, who has helped solve more than 200 cold cases with Parabon Labs. “You almost always get the DNA of the criminal mixed up with the DNA of the victim.”
The unsolved murders shocked the Moscow public. The university estimates that 25 to 40 percent of students did not return to campus after the murder.
On November 13, 2022, four people were killed at the University of Idaho.
(Instagram/@kayleegoncalves)
Moscow Police Chief James Fry vowed Tuesday to solve the murders, saying, “This case is not cold.”
“We have tips coming in. We have detectives interviewing people every day. We’re still looking at evidence, we’re still looking at all aspects of this,” Fry told Fox News. “I said earlier that no stone will be left unturned, and I mean it.”