Advanced DNA Testing Set to Identify Unclaimed Remains of 58 Individuals in Honolulu

The search for the identities of approximately 58 unidentified remains at the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office has taken a significant step forward. With the support of a $50,000 grant from Othram, a Texas-based cold case resolution company, forensic pathologists have sent five deeply poignant cases involving unnamed children and teens for advanced DNA testing.

The grants have cast a ray of hope on the partial skeleton of a teenager found in Keehi Lagoon near the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in 2002; the remains of a young boy aged 7-10 discovered in Waianae in 2000; six fingers belonging to a girl under the age of 4 found in Honolulu in 2012; and the skeletal remains of an adolescent unearthed alongside animal bones inside a vase bought in Honolulu in 2015. Despite the absence of specific details provided by the medical examiner's office, medicolegal investigator Charlotte Carter emphasized the profound significance of each case, representing individuals whose families deserve closure.

Focus on Identifying the Unidentified

The selection of these five cases for advanced DNA testing was driven by their juvenile nature, suggesting a higher likelihood of identification through modern technology, as endorsed by DNA experts. It is also important to note that one of the cases is linked to a 2014 homicide, prompting the medical examiners' office to withhold information pending the ongoing investigation. Furthermore, the uncertain circumstances surrounding the severed fingers make it possible that they belong to a child who experienced trauma rather than indicating a death.

Advancements in Forensic Technology

Charlotte Carter expressed her commitment to resolving all unidentified cases within Honolulu's morgue, particularly as DNA testing becomes more accessible and cost-effective. In June, the Honolulu City Council formally accepted the grant from Othram, which specializes in forensic genetic genealogy testing, a sophisticated fusion of DNA analysis and genealogy research aimed at unraveling the identities of unidentified individuals. It is worth noting that, thus far, none of the samples have yielded positive identifications.

Challenges in Identifying the Unidentified

Information regarding these cases remains scarce, particularly concerning the skeleton found inside the vase in Honolulu, where forensic pathologists could only ascertain that the deceased was an adolescent, lacking concrete details such as age range, gender, height, weight, or year of death. In contrast, other cases, such as that of the young boy found in Waianae in 2000, present more clues, with a forensic artist even reconstructing his face – a poignant representation of the possible life he led, now immortalized in his NamUs profile as "John Waianae Doe 2000." Carter divulged that the DNA testing results may take over a year to materialize. However, her agency has previously achieved success in one identification, linking skeletal remains unearthed in Manoa in 2010 to William Hans Holling Jr., a man missing since January 1985 . The identification was confirmed in July

and represents a significant breakthrough in the long-standing mystery surrounding Mr. Holling's disappearance.

The Role and Impact of Forensic Genetic Genealogy Testing

Forensic genetic genealogy testing employs innovative techniques to trace an unidentified person's relatives, leveraging public records to construct a family tree as a means to facilitate identification. This method gained prominence in criminal investigations during the 2010s, following the emergence of genetic testing companies. While law enforcement access to certain databases is restricted, investigators can utilize public-facing platforms to advance their searches. Stephen Kramer, a former FBI in-house counsel and founder of a DNA identification company, played a pivotal role in employing this technology to identify the notorious Golden State Killer, showcasing its potential in unraveling longstanding enigmas.

Funding Constraints and the Urgent Need for Identifications

Despite the advancements in forensic genetic genealogy testing, funding limitations pose a significant challenge to conducting more extensive screenings on cold cases. Each case incurs an approximate cost of $10,000, with NamUs covering the expenses for around five cases per year in Honolulu. The unidentified cases at the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office have accumulated over the years, dating back to 1966, encompassing individuals found under diverse circumstances, including skeletal remains discovered at construction sites and remains located in remote areas, likely belonging to individuals experiencing homelessness.