DNA, Genealogy IDs Suspect in 1977 Murder
In December 1977, Alma Jones was found murdered in her home in Raleigh, North Carolina. She lived alone and evidence at the scene indicated she had been brutally raped and murdered. Despite a thorough investigation, the case remained unsolved. In 2011, Raleigh Police investigators submitted several items of evidence to the NC State Crime Lab. A male DNADNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the genetic material found in cells, composed of a double helix structure. It serves as the genetic blueprint for all living organisms. More profile was developed from a cigarette butt and semen stain on a blanket which were at the crime scene. The profile for the unknown male was entered in to CODIS but a search produces no matches or leads to the identity of this unknown male.
In 2021, with all other leads exhausted, Raleigh Police investigators secured SAKI funds and approval to use forensic genetic genealogy to generate new leads in the case. The remaining DNA extracts from the crime scene evidence were sent to Othram for testing. Othram used Forensic-Grade GenomeA genome is the complete set of an organism's genetic material, while genomics is the study of genomes, investigating their evolution, structure, and function. More Sequencing to produce a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown male DNA. This profile was then returned to Raleigh Police investigators, who worked with the Charlotte and Baltimore FBI offices to perform genealogical research. Genealogical research and subsequent investigation by Raleigh PD and FBI investigators identified the Alma Jones’ killer as Paul David Crowder Jr. The suspect to this crime died on August 18, 2015.
Source: DNA Solves/Othram.
