The tech helping crack decades-old cold cases
Investigative genetic genealogy can help hunt down criminals but raises worries over privacy.
In November 1993, 34-year-old Randy Gail Sperino vanished after getting into a pickup truck in Granite City, Illinois. Her body was discovered weeks later in a nearby field, having suffered blunt force trauma. Despite extensive investigations, her killer remained unknown for over three decades. In 2022, the Madison County Sheriff's Office employed a novel investigative technique to crack the case.
They sent genetic evidence to Othram, a Houston-based company specializing in DNA analysis for unsolved crimes. Othram utilized investigative genetic genealogy, identifying distant relatives of the perpetrator through public records and census data. This led to the identification of a male family member, who ultimately confessed to the murder.
Albert "Buddy" Zigler, 70, was charged in May 2022. The method, which compares DNA profiles of distant relatives to a cold case, has proven effective in resolving numerous cold cases and unidentified remains. However, its success hinges on access to family DNA data, which raises ethical concerns. While the technique is gaining traction globally, its use remains restricted in the UK due to regulatory considerations.
Faced with overwhelming evidence, investigators also turned to AI to streamline case management and facilitate suspect interviews.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Technology's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
