DNA
Latest DNA News and Updates
COLD CASES
An Iowa High School Senior Was Killed in Her Car. A Surprising Piece of Evidence Helped Solve the Cold Case 40 Years Later.
A man was convicted of the cold-case murder of an Iowa woman 40 years ago. DNA from a gear shift and the victim's dress helped police decades later. COLD CASES
For Over Three Decades Nobody Knew a Colorado Murder Victim's Name — DNA and Family in Israel Changed That
The victim in a Colorado cold-case murder from 1988 has been identified, police said. Akram Bada’an's identity was confirmed using DNA and genetic genealogy. COLD CASES
A Minnesota Man Was Accused of Stabbing a Teen Dozens of Times. He Will Never Face Justice for the Brutal Murder.
Teenager Julie Ann Hanson was murdered in Illinois in 1972, but her case went cold. A Minnesota man accused of the crime 50 years later then died in jail. SERIAL KILLERS
Two Serial Killers Hunted for Victims in Louisiana. They Worked Separately But Terrorized Together.
Two serial killers worked in Louisana at the same time. While they killed separately, their cases are linked as they were ID'ed in the same investigation. SERIAL KILLERS
How Police Determined the Identity of an Unknown Victim of Prolific Serial Killer John Wayne Gacy
A victim of serial killer John Wayne Gacy was identified using DNA over 40 years after the victim was killed by the famous murderer. NEWS
Texas Authorities Suspect Serial Killer Behind Two Murders Six Years Apart
Texas police say DNA linking two murders — one in Austin and one in Bastrop County — points to a potential serial killer operating in the area. NEWS
Teen Mummy: Face Unveiled of 'Inca Ice Maiden' Who Died During Ritualistic Sacrifice in 1400s
Researchers have a new three-dimensional model of “Juanita,” a girl who reportedly died in a ritualistic Incan sacrifice in the 1400s. NEWS
Cave in German Castle Reveals 45,000-Year-Old Bones, Tools That Reveal Fascinating Glimpse into Early Humans
Bones and DNA found in a German cave revealed secrets about early humans and how they interacted with Neanderthals. NEWS
Ancient Infections: Neanderthal Bones Yield Oldest Human Viruses on Record, Dating Back 50,000 Years
Researchers have uncovered evidence that Neanderthals, who lived 50,000 years ago, carried three viruses that still affect humans today. NEWS
Dirty Dose: Study Reveals Rhino Horns Contain More Soil Than Minerals, Debunking Medicinal Value Myth
A recent study claims rhino horns, often sought by poachers, contain more dirt than health-boosting minerals, researchers said. NEWS
Arrest Made in 1990 Georgia Double Homicide Following Rape Kit DNA Match: Prosecutors
A decades-old rape kit helped link a Georgia man’s DNA to the fatal stabbings of two people in their Atlanta apartment in 1990, according to authorities. NEWS
‘Pokémon Prowler’: Thief Burglarized Stores Selling Collectible Trading Cards in Multiple States
An Oklahoma man dubbed 'Pokemon Prowler' has been sentenced to prison for multi-state trading card store burglaries, officials said. NEWS
Apprehended: Cops Arrest Suspect in Case of Maryland Mother of Five Murdered on Hiking Trail
Officials announced a suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of Maryland mother Rachel Morin last year. NEWS
Could Contemporary Psychiatric Disorders Be Linked to Ancient Viruses?
Ancient remnants of viral infections persist within the human genome and they could be linked to psychiatric disorders, researchers say. NEWS
Silent Clue: Surprising Cause of Beethoven's Deafness Potentially Discovered in His Hair
A recent study examining Beethoven's hair suggests the composer may have suffered from lead poisoning, potentially contributing to his health issues. FEATURES
A Wisconsin Man Killed a Couple He Targeted at Random in 1976. He Became a Convicted Killer in His Mid-80s.
An 84-year-old was sentenced to life in prison for the cold-case murder of a couple in a Wisconsin park. The suspect lived a normal life for decades after the killings. NEWS
'Complex, Unusual and Perplexing': Four Dead Infants Found in Freezer, Prosecutor Declines to Bring Charges
Four babies were found dead in a freezer and after an investigation, prosecutors announced no charges would be filed. SERIAL KILLERS
How DNA Helped Catch a Serial Killer for the First Time Over Three Decades Ago
Detectives in Virginia investigating a series of rapes in the 1980s used DNA for the first time to catch a serial killer. NEWS
A Louisiana Man Raped, Impregnated a 14-Year-Old Girl. Now, He’ll Spend Years Behind Bars After Being Castrated.
A Louisiana man pleaded guilty to raping and impregnating a 14-year-old girl. Now, a judge sentenced him to castration. NEWS
Idaho College Murders: Bryan Kohberger Alibi Says He Drove to See the ‘Moon and Stars’ on Night of Quadruple Murder
The attorneys for Bryan Kohberger have filed documents stating their client's alibi for the night of the quadruple murder. NEWS
'East Valley Rapist' Case: Former Arizona Border Patrol Agent Accused of Committing Serial Rapes for Over Two Decades
Police in Arizona say they arrested a serial rapist who was a retired cop. Efforts to ease the backlog of rape kits led to DNA identifying the suspect. NEWS
Evolution Explained: How Did Humans Lose Their Tails?
Researchers say humans and apes don't have tails due to a twist of genetic fate that occurred around 25 million years ago. COLD CASES
How Beer Cans Cracked the 1996 Cold-Case Murder of a Florida Convenience Store Clerk (FPD CASE VAULT)
Beer cans tossed in the trash helped solved the cold-case murder of a Florida man who was stabbed 73 times and died in a convenience store, police said. NEWS
A Man Tortured, Killed and Burned an Elderly Woman in a Mobile Home. Now, He Must Spend Decades Behind Bars.
California man confessed to intentionally setting fire to an elderly woman's mobile home. Now, he's spend decades behind bars for her death. NEWS
'Viruslike' Enigma: Scientists Unearth Mysterious 'Obelisks' in Human Gut, Mouth That May Influence Genetic Activity
Scientists have recently discovered a virus-like entity that inhabits bacteria in the human mouth and gut. NEWS
Chilling Discovery: Severed Head, Body Parts Found in Brooklyn Freezer Belong to Alleged Drug Dealer
A woman in Brooklyn has been detained after police say they found a severed head and multiple body parts of a sex offender in taped-off freezer. COLD CASES
Hunters in Michigan Found a Dead Minnesota Woman. Three Decades Later, Cops Are Still Searching for Her Killer.
Investigators in Michigan recently identified the victim of a cold-case homicide as a Minnesota woman who went missing in 1994. NEWS
Going De-Extinct: Scientists on Siberian Project Claim Return of Woolly Mammoth Possible in Three Years
A genetic project in northern Siberia that could bring the large extinct Woolly Mammoth back from the dead. NEWS
Shocking Discovery: Electric Eels Responsible for Genetic Modifications on Aquatic Life
A new study has found that the zaps released by electric eels have the power to alter the genetic material of nearby animals. COLD CASES
Suspected Serial Killer Accused of Cold-Case Murders of 3 Florida Women Died After Plane Crashed in South America
Florida investigators cracked the cold case murders of three women whose bodies were dumped over a 14-month span between 2000 and 2001. NEWS
'We Are Not Alone in This Universe': Analysts Say DNA from 'Non-Human' Alien Corpses Originated in 'Unknown Species'
An analyst claimed that 30% of the DNA from the “non-human” mummified remains does not belong to humans but instead originates from an “unknown species." NEWS
'Ken and Barbie Killers' Tortured Teenagers During Deadly Games (FPD CASE VAULT)
They were the "Ken and Barbie Killers" and they looked perfect on the outside, but had hearts as black as coal. NEWS
DNA Sample From Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Suspect’s Wife Matches Genetic Material Found on Victims: Prosecutors
A DNA sample taken from Rex Heuermann's wife matches hairs found on the victim's remains, according to officials. NEWS
Neanderthal Gets a Digital Makeover — and They Looked More Like Humans Than Originally Thought
The digital images crafted based on the CT scan of the skull of a Neanderthal man from France shows unexpected "softer" facial features. NEWS
JonBenet Ramsey: No Justice for Tragic Little Beauty Queen (FPD CASE VAULT)
The brutal slaying of adorable six-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey gripped America as few crimes have ever done. NEWS
Washington Woman Accused of Allowing Sex Offender Father of Their 10-Year-Old Daughter to Rape Child: Police
A woman in Washington has been accused of allowing her sex offender husband to rape their 10-year-old daughter. COLD CASES
DNA Links Maryland Man to 1982 Cold Case Rape, Murder of Mother of 4 Kidnapped While Walking to Grocery Store
Police arrested a suspect in Maryland after DNA connected him to a nearly 40-year-old cold case murder. Now, he's spending decades in prison. NEWS
DNA Identifies Suspect in 51-Year-Old Cold Case Murder of Georgia Girl; Deceased Accused Killer 'Must Answer to a Higher Power': Prosecutors
After 51 years, authorities announced DNA evidence has helped solve the cold case murder of 9-year-old Debbie Randall in Georgia. NEWS
‘Active Duty’ Army Worker Confessed to 1994 ‘Heinous’ Murder of Virginia Mother While Her 2-Year-Old Daughter Was Nearby: Police
A New York man allegedly confessed to the 1994 'heinous' murder of a Virginia mother while her toddler was in the house also, police said. COLD CASES
Mystery Solved: Authorities Identify Suspected Killer of Woman Found Dead on Massachusetts Beach in 1974
The FBI in Massachusetts used genetic genealogy to identify a woman who was found brutally murdered on a beach nearly 50 years ago in Provincetown. NEWS
An Indiana Man Lit His Curtains on Fire. Then, He Killed His Girlfriend After She Tried to Move Out.
An Indiana man is headed to prison after a jury recently convicted him of killing his girlfriend. NEWS
A New Mexico Man Got a Bad Haircut. So He Grabbed His Gun and Murdered His Stylist and Girlfriend.
A man in New Mexico got a bad haircut, so he grabbed his gun and murdered his stylist, girlfriend and friend during an alcohol-fueled rage. NEWS
Florida Woman Accused of Killing Roommate Dumped Diet Mountain Dew on Herself to Destroy DNA Evidence, Police Say
A Florida woman has been accused of killing her 79-year-old roommate and then dumping Mountain Dew on herself to remove DNA evidence. NEWS
Zodiac Killer: Elusive Fiend Taunted Cops After Harvesting ‘Slaves for His Afterlife’ (FPD CASE VAULT)
Beginning in the late 1960s, the Zodiac Killer dressed in an executioner's hood and terrorized San Francisco by murdering multiple people. NEWS
Gilgo Beach Murders: Las Vegas Cops Investigating 5 Murders Possibly Linked to Serial Killer Suspect Rex Heuermann, Officials Say
Vegas officials announced they are investigating possible links to serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann for 5 potential victims. NEWS
Idaho College Murders: Bryan Kohberger's Bombshell Claim 'Irregularity' and 'Failure' Occurred with Grand Jury May Doom Trial
In a new attempt to avoid trial, the defense team for University of Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger claims the grand jury was misled. NEWS
Gilgo Beach Murders: ‘Voluminous’ Evidence Tying Suspected Serial Killer Rex Heuermann to Killings a ‘Prosecutors’ Dream,’ Official Says
Experts say DNA evidence and cell phone records will play a major role in the case against Gilgo Beach suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann. NEWS
‘Predator’ Suspected Serial Killer Rex Heuermann Caught ‘Engaging in Activity That Was Disturbing’ Before Shock Arrest: Police
Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann engaged in 'disturbing' activity before his arrest in July, cops say. NEWS
Idaho College Murders: Bryan Kohberger's Defense Team Claims DNA 'Phantom Matches' May Throw Case Into Doubt
The defense team for University of Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger are looking to validate DNA evidence using a genealogist, officials say. NEWS
Idaho College Murders: Bryan Kohberger Reveals Alibi Connected to His Secret Solitary 'Habit'
In a new court filing, the attorneys for University of Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger reveal his alibi for the night of the murders.
