163. Smells Like Ingenious Genealogy - With Special Guest David Mittelman

There is absolutely no doubt that a new era in crime-solving was introduced with the bombshell announcement in the spring of 2018 that the four decades-long search for the infamous and evil Golden State Killer had been solved utilizing publicly available DNA data and applying the science of genetic genealogy.  In the two-and-a-half years since Joseph James DeAngelo was brought to justice, more than 120 cases have been solved using genetic genealogy techniques and committed, hard-working law enforcement professionals.  Oh.  And scientists.  Let’s not forget the scientists.  People like Paul Holes (a biochemist who became a police investigator to solve crime) or Barbara Rae-Venter, a genealogist and attorney who – in retirement – became one of the leading experts in the field of genetic genealogy…and then there are the new pioneers – those scientists who are now taking crime-busting through the use of DNA to previously inconceivable new levels.  One of those new pioneers is David Mittelman, the CEO of Othram Labs, which is based in suburban Houston, Texas.  Mittelman and his team at Othram are breakthrough experts in the science of genomics, and they have created the first non-government, private lab designed specifically for the recovery and analysis of human DNA from even some of the most partial, degraded or contaminated specimens.  Othram works solely with law enforcement – and in its short history has already solved a raft of some very difficult cold cases, including at least one that is more than one hundred years old.  Most recently, the rapist/killer of five year-old Siobhan McGuinness 46 years ago in Missoula Montana was identified using Othram’s technology.  As Dr. Mittelman explains in this episode’s fascinating interview with Melissa, the technology available today can digitize – and therefore preserve forever – even the most degraded (and otherwise degrading) DNA data.  Combine that fact with the application of genetic genealogy, and there is virtually no limit to the possibilities of solving crime.  If an offender leaves any sort of DNA evidence behind, it is now more likely than ever before that he will be caught.