Historical mysteries finally solved by forensics
The murder of a Harvard grad student - In January 1969, Harvard grad student Jane Britton was found dead in her apartment after she failed to show up for an exam.
The murder of a Harvard grad student - The cause of her death was blunt force trauma, but the case went unsolved for over 40 years.
The murder of a Harvard grad student - The DNA on the preserved evidence was found to match that of a serial sex offender and murderer who had been convicted back in 1973.
Sierra Bouzigard -
After Sierra Bouzigard was found murdered in Louisiana in 2009, the case soon went cold. The DNA evidence didn’t match anyone in the database.
Sierra Bouzigard -
Six years later, thanks to the development of DNA phenotyping, forensic scientists were able to simulate what the killer would probably have looked like.
Sierra Bouzigard -
The sketch was quickly recognized and the perpetrator of the crime was brought to justice. In another twist to the story, in 2018 he was found hanging in jail.
The murderer who gave himself up - After Marianne Vaatstra was found raped and murdered in 1999 in the Netherlands, the case went unsolved for years.
The murderer who gave himself up - In 2012, police revisited the case and asked all the men living within a five-mile radius of the crime scene to submit their DNA.
The murderer who gave himself up - One respondent to this appeal was a match, a middle-aged neighbor who willingly submitted his DNA to the police. Case closed.
Christmas Eve killing -
On Christmas Eve 2001, Kevin Butler was stabbed to death in his apartment, along with his pet cockatoo, Bird.
Christmas Eve killing - Investigators found human DNA in Bird’s beak and claws, and it turned out to be a match with someone Butler had financial trouble with.
Christmas Eve killing -
When it was discovered that the man in question had wounds consistent with being pecked and clawed by a cockatoo, the case was solved.
Catching Ted Bundy -
In 1978, three women were found murdered at Florida State University. One of the women’s bodies was found with distinctive bite marks on it.
Catching Ted Bundy -
A forensics expert testified at the trial that the marks matched the teeth of Ted Bundy, who was a suspect in several other murders at the time.
Catching Ted Bundy -
Although bite mark impressions would not be admissible evidence today, it was enough to convince the jury at the time.