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Public DNA Database and Footprint Evidence Lead to Suspect in 1993 Minneapolis Murder
Just the facts
In 1993, Jeanie Childs was found stabbed more than 60 times in her Minneapolis apartment, where investigators documented bloody, bare footprints left at the crime scene. Forensic scientists noted the unusual nature of barefoot prints at a crime scene in Minnesota. A 2015 cold-case review utilizing public DNA databases and genetic genealogy eventually enabled law enforcement to identify Jerry Westrom as the suspect. The case highlights advancements in forensic technology that allowed investigators to resolve decades-old unsolved homicide cases.
Why this is news
A cold case investigation into the 1993 murder of Jeanie Childs in Minneapolis resulted in a suspect identification through genetic genealogy and physical evidence.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.