Grant will help revive cold cases

Investigators are preparing to breathe new life into dozens of cold cases in Idaho.

Idaho State Police’s Forensic Services (ISPFS) recently received more than $750,000 in grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, about $150,000 of which will go toward solving cold cases using a new technique called forensic molecular genetic genealogy.

Genetic genealogy is the use of DNA testing to determine relationships between individuals.

Law enforcement have access to a national database where DNA from convicted felons is stored — but the limited pool of DNA means that many crime scene samples have not been matched to any potential suspect.

Forensic molecular genetic genealogy enables investigators to compare DNA evidence to data from regular people who have agreed to put their DNA in public databases.

After a potential suspect has ben identified, their DNA can be compared directly against a crime scene sample.

Matthew Gamette, Director of Forensic Services for ISP, said generating new leads on these cases will make Idaho safer.

“Our goal is to help law enforcement solve cases where we have not been able to find suspects due to limitations in current techniques,” he said.

Forensic molecular genealogy helped lead to an arrest and prosecution in a 2017 rape case in Teton County.

The Teton Valley News reported that, within three days of receiving DNA evidence from law enforcement, a forensic genealogy company with access to an extensive database and sophisticated analysis tools had narrowed down the suspect pool to three brothers.

A genetic match with one of the men, 31-year-old Chet K. Neilson, was later confirmed. Neilson ultimately pleaded guilty to rape and was sentenced in January to 15 to 25 years in prison.

The grant money will allow ISPFS to look at a wider range of potential suspects by comparing DNA samples to more databases.

An Idaho molecular genetic genealogy team has already identified more than 50 cases that could possibly benefit from the new technique. The team has reportedly started reaching out to local agencies throughout Idaho to partner on the investigation.

Whether any North Idaho cold cases are among them remains to be seen, however.

“The possibility of using new technology to break cold cases is exciting news,” said ISP Communications Director Lynn Hightower. “To maintain the integrity of those ongoing investigations, specific cases can’t be identified at this time.”

Capt. Dave Hagar said no cases under the purview of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department are being examined under this project at this time. That doesn’t mean older cases are never revisited, however.

“We are consistently reviewing cold cases as new technology becomes available, or even if a new set of eyes will benefit an old case,” Hagar said.