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Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Missing Person DNA Database

Program

UNTHSC Fort Worth, Texas

John E.B. StewartFBI LaboratoryQuantico, VA

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Late 1920's - Bureau occasionally called upon outside scientists from universities.

• Not always available to testify• Custody of evidence considerationsCus ody o ev de ce co s de o s• Cost• Confidential nature of case

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“ I look forward to the day when ‘expert’ testimony in criminal cases in all of our courts will be given by witnesses, trained and skilled in their particular specialty, and predicated upon careful analysis of the evidence without regard to passing expediency

liti l t Th i l f- political or monetary. There is no place for charlatans in the field of scientific crime detection. . . . .”

J. Edgar Hoover

By August 1, 1934 Bureau’s Crime Laboratory capabilities included:

FingerprintsHandwriting and TypewritingBallisticsBlood stainsHairs and Fibers

Reference Collections:Paper water marks, tire tread designs, Typewriting and bullets

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•Visual by next of Kin

•Fingerprints / Footprints

M di l / A h l i l

Legally Accepted Methods of Identification

•Medical / Anthropological

•Dental

•DNA

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FBI Resources for Missing Person CasesEvidence Response Teams UnitEvidence Response Teams Unit

Trace Evidence Teams UnitTrace Evidence Teams Unit

Firearms and Toolmarks UnitFirearms and Toolmarks Unit

Latent Finger Prints UnitLatent Finger Prints UnitLatent Finger Prints UnitLatent Finger Prints Unit

Investigative and Prosecutive Graphics UnitInvestigative and Prosecutive Graphics Unit

DNA Analysis Units I & IIDNA Analysis Units I & II

CODIS UnitCODIS Unit

FBI Field Offices and Resident AgenciesFBI Field Offices and Resident Agencies

As more information is captured

The more the picture comes into focus

Before removal:Prevent site contamination

Use gloves when handling the remains at all timesCordon off area

Only evidence technicians and site recovery personnelPhotograph area

Before and after exhumationBefore and after sampling

Trace Evidence samplingHairsFibersFibersAnimal fur/feathersRake areaSoil sampling

Physical Anthropology informationHuman vs. non-humanBody conditionBody positionToolmark activityFirearms evidenceAnimal activityInsect sampling

Law Enforcement Report

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After removal:Photograph remains in the Laboratory

Before and after bone labeling

Physical Anthropology AnalysisToolmark activityFirearms evidenceAnimal activityInsect samplingCause of deathCause of deathTime since deathAge/Sex/Ancestry/Height

Odontology Examination

Medical Examiner/Coroner Examination

Law Enforcement records information and sends it to NCIC or ViCAP

DNA like other methods is only part of the information that is needed to bring the picture into focus.

Is the picture in focus enough for the Medical Examiner or Coroner to make a determination?

It is up to the Medical Examiner or Coroner to determine if the remains are those of a particular individual.

They sign the death certificate

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONLABORATORY

Operational Support BranchEvidence Response Team Unit

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Good quality samples start with good recovery techniques and practices

ERTU Mission: Support…Human Scent Evidence Team

• Canine capable of scenting the odor of human decomposition.

Human Remains Detection

p

• Can recognize decomposition odor in various forms (i.e body, body parts, blood etc).

• Buried or submerged under water.

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888

Trace Evidence Trace Evidence UnitUnit

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Latent Print Latent Print Operations UnitOperations Unitpp

(LPOU)(LPOU)

Disaster SquadDisaster Squad-- FBI’s Disaster Squad created in 1940 to

respond to a plane crash involving an FBI employee

– Primary means of identification was through fingerprints.

D t l b i l d h tl th ft• Dental became involved shortly thereafter, followed by the use of DNA

– Primary source of Squad members are LPU examiners

– LPU has responded to 225 disasters • Total of 8,612 decedents• 4,909 decedents identified by fingerprints,

palm prints or footprints• 57% of total decedents identified

IAFIS

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Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System

• Automated system for processing fingerprints and criminal history data

• Service to federal, state and local law enforcement and criminal justice users

• Service to civil community for employment and licensing

The skull is first examinedby a Forensic Anthropologist,who determines the sex, race, and age of the victim.

The skull is first examinedby a Forensic Anthropologist,who determines the sex, race, and age of the victim.

Skin depth markersSkin depth markersSkin depth markersare added, and photographsare taken of the skull.

Skin depth markersare added, and photographsare taken of the skull.

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The victim was identified shortly after this drawing was released. The victim was identified shortly after this drawing was released.

Computer Aging

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Programs –• Photographic Processing Services• Forensic Studio• Technical Imaging Group• Tactical Site Survey

POISU

• Aerial Photography• Training• Field Equipment• Photographic Concealments• Digital Darkrooms• Equipment Repair• Field Photographer Program

Skull & Bone Photography

COmbined DNA Index System

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CODIS Mission - to provide a means for crime laboratories to electronically compare DNA profiles, thereby

linking crimes to each other and to convicted offenders

Convicted OffendersForensics

Missing PersonsPopulation Statistics

How the National DNA Index System Works

DNA Profiles can

City & County Laboratories Upload DNA

Profiles to the State Level

DNA Profiles can be compared at the State Level

…then uploaded to the National Level for

comparison to DNA profiles from other states

INDEX Forensic STR

Convicted Offender STR

Unidentified Human Remains

Missing Person

Biological Relatives of Missing Persons

Forensic STR X X X XConvicted Offender STR

X X X

NDIS Searches

STR

Unidentified Human Remains

X X X X XMissing Person X X XBiological Relatives of Missing Persons

X

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H.R. 3421 Fiscal Year 2000Passed by Congress with continuing funding

National Missing Person DNA Database

The NMPDD uses three indices of CODIS

DNA Analysis Unit II(Mitochondrial DNA)

DNA Analysis Unit I(Nuclear DNA)

CODIS Unit

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FBI Missing Person Cases

300

400

460500

340

Cases Submitted

Cases completed

202

331370

383

471

240

FY2000 FY2001

100

200

40 40 43

119

FY2002 FY2003 FY2004 FY2005 FY2006

5 12 10

118

202

1770+ Cases have been completed210+ matches

FY2007

158

FY2008

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Missing Person DNA Laboratories

Connecticut State Crime Lab

Minnesota Bureau ofCriminal Apprehension

New Jersey State Police Laboratory

California Departmentof Justice

Arizona Departmentof Public Safety

FBI Laboratory

University of North TexasHealth Science Center

National Missing Person DNA Database

Unidentified Human Remainsor

Sample from a Biological Relativeof a Missing Person

FBIField Office

LocalLaw Enforcement/

NDIS

FBIFBINMPDDNMPDD

State LabState CODIS

Field OfficeMedical Examiner

The Unidentified Human Remains Index

• Samples from recovered remains.

• Recovered remains are submitted through localFBI fi ld ffiFBI field offices.

• Samples are typed for mtDNA profiles.

• If possible, STR profiles will be developed.

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Anthropological specimens must have an accompanying anthropology, Medical Examiner or

For Submitted Skeletal Material:

Coroner’s report. Anthropology reports should be from an ABFA certified anthropologist.

Femur ComparisonFemur ComparisonHuman femaleHuman female

Large DogLarge DogDeerDeer Small DogSmall Dog

Black BearBlack Bear

PigPigSheepSheep

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Bone fragment sample from Medical Examiner

Poor Quality SampleContaminatedRequired five extractions

Bone sample removed in the FBI Laboratory

Good Quality SampleNo ContaminationRequired one extraction and archive sample from cut was retainedRemaining portion of tibia was returned to the contributor

Burned bone sample

Charred area was sanded awayNo ContaminationRequired one extractionRemaining portion of bone was returned to the contributor

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Bone sample with tissue

Good Quality SampleContaminates were cut awayRequired one extractionRemaining portion of rib was returned to the contributor

Bone / Tooth Collection Kits for Unidentified Human Remains

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Dental specimens must have an accompanyingodontology report preferably from an ABFO

For Submitted Dental Material:

odontology report, preferably from an ABFOcertified odontologist. Medical Examiner/Coronerreports will be accepted.

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Tooth CollectionUnrestored MolarUnrestored PremolarUnrestored CuspidUnrestored Anterior Tooth Restored MolarRestored MolarRestored PremolarRestored CuspidRestored Anterior Tooth

Tooth fragment sample from Coroner

• Poor Quality Sample• Contaminated from previous cases by using the same pliers

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Tooth removed from skull in the FBI Laboratory

• Good Quality Sample• No Contamination• Required one extraction• Crown was removed from the root area• Roots were used for DNA extraction• Crown was retained intact

The Relatives of Missing PersonsSamples from biological relatives of missing persons.

Missing PersonBiological MotherBiological FatherBiological SiblingBiological ChildMaternal RelativePaternal RelativeDeduced Missing Person (Deduced Victim Known)

Samples are typed for mitochondrial and nuclear DNA.

Sample collection kits for blood samples are in all FBI Field Offices

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Reference Sample Kits

Self contained kit for blood sample collection

Collection is similar to blood-glucose testingCo ect o s s a to b ood g ucose test g

Sample Card is included for sample collection

Blood Cell Collection Kits for Relatives of Missing Persons

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Kit ComponentsKit Components

Sample and Consent form are placed into a self-addressed/postage paid envelope

Consent Form for samples taken from relatives of Missing Persons

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Consent Form for samples taken from relatives of Missing Persons

Blood cell samples from kits are ready for robotics

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Jessica Standridge

1976 Monroe County Florida Investigators from Monroe County Sheriff’s Office recoverunidentified human remains from Grassy Key.

November 2001 Monroe County Florida Investigators from Monroe County Sheriff’s Office send samples from the recovered remains and samples from two families of bi l i l l ti f i i th h th FBI’ O lbiological relatives of missing persons through the FBI’s Ocala Resident Agency to the FBI Laboratory’s National Missing Person DNA Database program.

February 2003 FBI Laboratory Mitochondrial DNA results from the samples of the two families were excluded as a possible source of the remains. Nuclear DNA testing was unsuccessful for the remains.

February 2004 Highlands County Florida FBI Agents from the Fort Pierce Resident Agency of the Miami Field Office traveled to Sebring, Florida to collect a sample from the mother of Stephanie Sempell.

April 2004 FBI LaboratoryThe mitochondrial DNA profile from Stephanie Sempell’s mother

h d h d i A h i ldmatched the recovered remains. A report was sent to the FBI Field Office and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

August 2004 Monroe County Florida Due in part to the DNA results, the Medical Examiner from Monroe County determined that the unidentified human remains were those of Stephanie Sempell.

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Stephanie Sempell

July 1994 Rochester, Pennsylvania Sarah Rae Boehm, 14 years old is Reported missing. Investigators Considered her a runaway.

November 1994 Portage County Ohio A hunter discovers the remains of an unidentified female.

January 2002 FBI Laboratory Remains sent to FBI Laboratory. No results.

March 2003 FBI Laboratory Second set of remains sent to FBI Laboratory.

May 2003 FBI Laboratory Report sent describing match of remains to the mother’s sample.

Sarah Rae Boehm

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Danny Hoenstein California

Cary Jo DumlerOregon

Wendy CurieMichigan

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OMI Albuquerque

The Search for theThe Search for the Warrens

Russell WarrenRussell Collins Warren was born in Wisconsin on June 11th, 1891. His parents were Frank Warren and May Eva Bishop.

Blanche WarrenBlanche Warren was was born Thelma Alida Blanche Rhone in Wisconsin on January 28th, 1896. Her parents were Frank Rhone and Bertha Ann Pearl Alton.

Blanche and Russell married on January 11th, 1915 in Wisconsin. They later moved to Idaho.

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In Wisconsin, Frank and Charles were born to the couple in 1915 and 1916

Sons, Frank and Charles

1915 and 1916.

(L) Frank and (R) Charles with their father about 1927

WashingtonIn the early 1920’s the Warren family moved to western Washington and took up residence near Quillayute Prairie near Forks, Washington.

Frank and Charles attended the Quillayute School.

Russell worked in the forests as a logger. Logging was in it’s prime with many large stands of old growth trees and a robust market to send them to.

The Accident on July 3, 1929Russell left Quillayute Prairie in 1927 Chevrolet sedan and drove to Port Angeles, leaving the two boys behind.

At approximately 3:30 P.M. Russell picked up his wife Blanche from the hospital in Porthis wife, Blanche from the hospital in Port Angeles.

The couple had recently purchased a new washing machine in Port Angeles. The washing machine was in or tied to the car.

Russell and Blanche did not return to their home that evening and were not seen again.

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Port Angeles Evening News from August 17th, 1929

In 1929, Harry Brooks explained to Sheriff Pike where he thought the accident had occurred.

Sheriff Pike reported that the accident scene is at a little curve in the highway.

Harry Brooks

Sheriff Pike mentioned that there was broken glass on the shore of the lake. He further described that a Cedar tree exhibited torn limbs and he felt it was evidence that a vehicle had run off the edge of the road and rolled into the lake.

The bottom of the lake is visible from only a short distance from the shore.

Frank and Charles WarrenAfter Frank and Charles Warren were orphaned, they were taken in by their maternal grandmother and moved to Montana.moved to Montana.

Frank and Charles Warren later moved back to the State of Washington, married and each had three children.

Charles with pet

Left to Right:Charles’ Wife Mildred,Charles and Frank Warren

The Mystery of what happened to the WarrensFor many years, the disappearance of Russell and Blanche Warren was discussed by local inhabitants. there was even speculation that Russell was wanted by law enforcement and they had abandoned the boys and moved to another state.

Most thought that they had run off the road and were deep g y pin the lake.

Over many decades the location of the accident was forgotten and some of the names of the landmarks had been changed or removed.

The disappearance of the Warrens became part of the history of the area.

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In July and August of 2001, the Olympic National Park dive team began diving in areas along Highway 101 looking for the evidence of old cars.

National Park Investigation

Two old cars were located and found to be Ford Model A cars. The cars were probably from a 1930’s gang that was arrested for stealing, stripping and then dumping the cars into the lake.

Newspaper articles from 1929 were collected by a local resident and Lake Crescent dive enthusiast Bob Caso. Clues were pulled from these articles as to the possible location of the Warren’s 1927 Chevrolet sedan.

July 16th, 1929

Left to Right, Bob Caso, Chuck Whidden

Dick Owen, May 14, 1955 at Storm King Point

Probable Accident Location

The Probable Accident Location

(Madrona Point)

Cross Creek

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EvidenceOn December 2, 2001 divers Dan Pontbriand, Dan Messaros, Paul Seyler and Bill Walker searched for more clues at Madrona point. The divers discovered a vase in 55 feet of water and ain 55 feet of water and a washing machine lid in 85 feet of water. The lid was identified as coming from a Norge washing machine. The Norge washing machine lid was from the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. This was the first tangible evidence that pointed to the location of the Warren’s car.

Previous dives at the site had searched the area from 0 to 80 feet in depth. In this area, a muffler and and a step plate were located. The items recovered were aligned

January 2002 Dives

recovered were aligned on a grid and this formed a debris trail that pointed to a possible location in much deeper water.

The divers would need to search in an area at the base of a cliff at a depth of 150 feet.

The Warren CarOn April 13, 2002, Gene Ralston operating a side-scan sonar unit reported several targets of interest, including a 3 foot round object in approximately 180 feet of water.

Deep water divers John Rawlings and Jerome Ryan were deployed.

They found the car matching the Warren’s 1927 Chevrolet Sedan near the designated target site.

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Finding Human RemainsOn May 29, 2004 deep water divers John Rawlings and Jerome Ryan discovered human remains.

On December 17, 2004 the human remains were delivered to Dr. Katherine Taylor for an Anthropological Examination.

Then DNAIn January of 2005, the FBI Laboratory’s National Missing Person DNA Database (NMPDD) Program was contacted about performing mitochondrial DNA

l i th danalysis on the recovered remains.

Why Mitochondrial DNA

Russell and Blanche had two sons, Frank and Charles. Frank died in 1972 and Charles died in 1964. They each had three children. If a maternally related biological relative could be located. A mitochondrial DNA test could be performed on the unidentified human remains and then compared to the maternal relative.

- Females- Males

Mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited.All of the Orange coloredindividuals pictured herewould have the same mitochondrial DNA profile.

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Mitochondrial DNA AnalysisA maternal sample was located for the mitochondrial DNA analysis. On February 8, 2005 buccal swab samples were taken from J i Wil E iJessie Wilma Ewing, the daughter of Russell Warren’s sister.

Mitochondrial DNA AnalysisIn March of 2005 the samples were sent to the FBI Laboratory.

In October of 2005, the mitochondrial DNA analysis wasDNA analysis was started on the remains that were recovered from Lake Crescent.

After a mtDNA profile was obtained from the remains, a mtDNA profile was determined from the sample provided by Russell Warren’s niece.

Mitochondrial DNA Analysis

Specimen

Q1 K1Bone Buccal sample from

JESSIE WILMAEWING

Range np 15998-16389 np 15998-1638916126 C 16126 C

HVI 16163 G 16163 G16174 T 16174 T16186 T 16186 T16189 C 16189 C16294 T 16294 T

R 49 408 49 408

Specimen

Q1 K1Bone Buccal sample from

JESSIE WILMAEWING

Range np 15998-16389 np 15998-1638916126 C 16126 C

HVI 16163 G 16163 G16174 T 16174 T16186 T 16186 T16189 C 16189 C16294 T 16294 T

R 49 408 49 408On November 3, 2005 a report was written that concluded Russell Warren could not be excluded as the source of the recovered remains from Lake Crescent, Washington.

Range np 49-408 np 49-40873 G 73 G152 C 152 C

HVII 195 C 195 C263 G 263 G

309.1 C* 309.1 C*315.1 C 315.1 C

*C7TC6 *C7TC6C8TC6-Major C8TC6-Major

C9TC6 C9TC6

Range np 49-408 np 49-40873 G 73 G152 C 152 C

HVII 195 C 195 C263 G 263 G

309.1 C* 309.1 C*315.1 C 315.1 C

*C7TC6 *C7TC6C8TC6-Major C8TC6-Major

C9TC6 C9TC6

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To date, Blanche Warren’s remains have not been located.

Mitochondrial DNA Analysis

Russell Warren’s remains were returnedremains were returned to the National Park Service, Olympic National Park.

The remains were subsequently turned over to Russell Warren’s family.

The Dive TeamDan Messaros (Ranger-Dive Officer)

Paul Seyler (Maintenance Foreman)

Steve Fradkin (Fisheries Biologist)

Laurie Axelsen (Ranger

Art Sandison (Ranger)

Dan Pontbriand (Ranger)

Bill Walker (Volunteer)

Joe Walker (Volunteer)

Rob Edwards (Volunteer)

Mark Heilberg (U.S. Coast Guard-VIP)

John Rawlings

Jerome Ryan

Bob Caso (Historian)

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The NMPDD staff

Patricia Aagaard

Stacie Perkins

Deborah Polanskey

Tavis SipeTavis Sipe

Richard Thomas

Jessica Young

National Missing Person DNA Database

Contact information:Contact information:

John E. B. (Jeb) Stewart, Ph.D.

john.stewart@ic.fbi.gov

703.632.7582

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