the race for the face of her killer

Forensic scientists like Dr. Mark D. Shriver at Penn State are working on the development of a forensic process that uses DNA left a crime scenes like JonBenet's to generate a physical description of an individual from the analysis of the DNA. This process is called “Forensic Molecular Photofitting.”

If you are an information junkie and need to know more about these break through developments and just how close they are to be able to learn what JonBenet's killer looks like, get this over at Amazon--

Molecular Photofitting: Predicting Ancestry and Phenotype Using DNA
by Tony Frudakis, PhD
September 21, 2007


"Book Description
A truly revolutionary work that uses DNA technology to map racial ancestry and accurately approximate physical characteristics!

Product Description

In the field of forensics, there is a critical need for genetic tests that can function in a predictive or inferential sense, before suspects have been identified, and/or for crimes for which DNA evidence exists but eye-witnesses do not. Molecular Photofitting fills this need by describing the process of generating a physical description of an individual from the analysis of his or her DNA.

The molecular photofitting process has been used to assist with the identification of remains and to guide criminal investigations toward certain individuals within the sphere of prior suspects.

Molecular Photofitting provides an accessible roadmap for both the forensic scientist hoping to make use of the new tests becoming available, and for the human genetic researcher working to discover the panels of markers that comprise these tests.

By implementing population structure as a practical forensics and clinical genomics tool, Molecular Photofitting serves to redefine the way science and history look at ancestry and genetics, and shows how these tools can be used to maximize the efficacy of our criminal justice system.

* Explains how physical descriptions of individuals can be generated using only their DNA

* Case studies that show how this new forensic technology is used in practical application

* Includes over 100 diagrams, tables, and photos to illustrate and outline complex concepts"

too famous

Still in stock at Amazon with a cost of $21.95 for the paperback is the 2002 Enquirer book of photos spanning 3 decades. While JonBenet didn't make the cover with mega celebs like Liz, Jackie O, Elvis and Julia Roberts she is found inside the book with the likes of John Lennon, Grace Kelly and a young Tori Spelling--


THIRTY YEARS OF UNFORGETTABLE IMAGES
by the Editors of National Enquirer
2002

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
"....The emphasis is on the profanation of the sacred through the display of movie stars, über-models and rock deities in all their aging, haggard, strung-out, stubbly humanity. Few come off looking good aside from those-like JonBenet Ramsey-who are bathed in the glamour of imminent martyrdom....You should put it down, but you just can't."

Jeff Shapiro, these days

'Obsessed Reporter Reveals Dark Under World of Ramsey Case' investigative journalist and attorney, Jeff Shapiro has another new cause: memorializing "W"--


Libertarian Republican: Florida Libertarian launches Pro-Bush legacy organization
February 7, 2009

Jeffrey Scott Shapiro was a Students for a Libertarian Society activist, who worked with the Republican Liberty Caucus, Libertarian Party and many pro-choice, civil liberties groups in the 1990s.

Shapiro went on to have a career as a star journalist, being the lead reporter for CBS News, Gannett News and TIME magazine and other publications on the JonBenet Ramsey murder case in Colorado, and other national stories, including Columbine and 9/11.

Now Shapiro has teamed up with Andrew Breitbart of Big Hollywood, and two former Policy Advisors to President Bush, to launch Honor Freedom....Through education, journalism and social activism, we hope to build an effective, proactive network of Americans and citizens abroad who want to keep the President’s dream alive...."

it's all about the DNA

Looks like Chandra Levy's parents finally may have answers and Gary Condit will be relieved of suffering from erroneous vilification in the welcome news of enough evidence to convict in Chandra's brutal murder 8 years ago.

Perhaps rumblings are correct about involvement of those heroes over at Bode Technology Group. Surely you may remember, that’s the firm that has been so instrumental in 9/11 victim identifications and last year found JonBenet's killer's full DNA profile in skin cells on her nightclothes--

Gary Condit's mother: 'It has always followed our family'
CNN

"...Although police never named the former California congressman as a suspect in Chandra Levy's murder -- his mother said he was branded for life with a scarlet letter....

A CNN source close to the investigation said the suspect is Ingmar Guandique, a Salvadoran laborer, and investigators have reportedly recently collected and retested DNA...."

without great expectation

In a poll of over 230 readers, those that suspect JonBenet's murder will never be solved by Boulder PD outweighs those that think her case can be solved--

Weekly Crime Poll: The JonBenet Ramsey Case - 12 Years Later

February 7, 2009

By Charles Montaldo

"Saying they will use new technology, expertise and an advisory task force to try to solve the crime, the Boulder Police Department has taken the reins again in the investigation of the JonBenet Ramsey murder..."

feeding time at the zoo

As investigators in the 2001 slaying of Chandra Levy prepare an arrest warrant for a Salvadoran immigrant suspected in the former interns brutal murder, the media returns to her parents home--

Media zoo's upside: Closure at last
By JEFF JARDINE
February 24, 2009

"A smattering of television crews and other assorted media assembled in front of Bob and Susan Levy's north Modesto home Saturday....The scene, Levy said Monday, seemed mildly reminiscent of what her family experienced during the spring and summer of 2001, after daughter Chandra Levy disappeared in Washington, D.C.

Over the course of the summer, they became friends with the media regulars, some of whom had worked similar media sieges during the Montana Freemen standoff, the JonBenét Ramsey murder case and the Unabomber trial.

"We got to feed the press," Susan Levy said. "We had so much food from the neighbors -- they were so great -- that we gave (the media) the leftovers from our dinner."

Meanwhile, Susan Levy remained home awaiting the news she's so anxious to receive: the call from the D.C. police confirming they've charged her daughter's killer at last...

The zoo, if nothing else, is therapeutic."

the face of her killer

DNA left at crime scene could be used to create picture of criminal's FACE, say scientists
17th February 2009

Forensic experts will soon be able to reconstruct facial features and skin just by reading DNA, U.S. scientists said.

'Forensic molecular photofitting' maps the genes that are linked to skin pigmentation and facial structure which means a person's face could emerge from the analysis, Dr Mark Shriver from Pennsylvania State University said.

The process has already been used to help identify and convict serial killer Derek Todd Lee who murdered seven women in Louisiana.

Witness statements said the offender was white but genetic testing of DNA at the crime scenes showed he was African American - which helped lead to his arrest.

He was convicted in 2004.

Dr Shriver said he has now linked DNA that mark a person's ethnic origin with the gene mix of fixed points on the face, e.g. corners of the mouth and tip of the nose.

This allows the computer to build up an image of a face based on the gene mix found in the DNA.
Speaking to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Chicago at the weekend, Dr Shriver said 'maybe 500 facial markers and 500 ancestry markers' would be enough to build an accurate and complete face.

for the love of science

Former Bundy girl on forensic frontline
by Nikki Sorbello
17th February 2009

IDENTIFYING the remains of people killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and providing crucial evidence in the JonBenet Ramsey case are all just in a day's work for Dr Angela Williamson.

But the former Bundaberg woman, who grew up here and attended Sharon State School and North Bundaberg High School, does not consider herself any different from any other working Joe.

Dr Williamson was in Bundaberg last week for the first time in two years to catch up with family, and spoke to the NewsMail about her special career, that began with a love of science.
While Dr Williamson is Bundaberg's answer to high-profile television shows like CSI, Bones and NCIS, the 31 year old says the real work is nothing like the way it is portrayed on television.

“We certainly don't walk around the lab in our high heels,” Dr Williamson joked.

After leaving home at 17 to pursue a university education, Dr Williamson completed a Bachelor of Science, her honours and a PhD at University of Queensland, a feat that took seven years.
After being head-hunted for a position during her PhD, Dr Williamson made the move to America to work in DNA and medical research, where her interest in forensics grew.

“I was working at George Washington University who have one of the best forensic courses in the world, and I took a few classes and decided to switch my career,” she said.

Dr Williamson now works for Bode Technology Laboratory as a director of forensic casework, which has seen her work on many high-profile cases, including the JonBenet Ramsey inquiry.
In July last year, Dr Williamson was instrumental in a large development in the case by generating a DNA profile from JonBenet's long johns.

“I met with the DA (District Attorney), who decided that it was enough evidence to clear the family of any involvement,” she said.

“The Ramsey case was surreal. I did 12 interviews in 12 hours.”

The case of the West Memphis Three and identifying victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks are among the high-profile work Dr Williamson has tackled.

Dr Williamson said working on the September 11 cases was great, with providing answers to families being one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

“We got a result last year on the remains - and that is seven years later,” she said.

“Some days are bad, but you just have to think 'This has already happened. What can we do now to help the families, to help free an innocent person, to help put someone in jail?'”

Cold cases are a personal passion and she is busy clearing the backlog of rape case work from across America.

“The JonBenet Ramsey case seems so important because it was a high-profile case, but every answer we can provide for a family is just as important,” she said."

Juli

Where Juli's bill becomes law, those arrested on felony charge will be required them to give a DNA sample along with fingerprints and mugshots;



Juli's Law to Require DNA Collection After Arrest
Feb. 16, 2009

"A new proposed law would require law enforcement officials to collect DNA evidence from every suspect arrested in a felony case involving another person, such as rape, sexual assault, battery, domestic battery, kidnapping and burglary.The bill is named for Juli Busken, a Benton native who was killed in 1996 while attending the University of Oklahoma. Her killer was found in 2004 because of DNA evidence.

The bill also has the backing of John Ramsey, the father of JonBenet Ramsey, the six year old found murdered in her home also in 1996. John Ramsey now lives in Little Rock...

...Mary Jean Busken says members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives will soon vote on their version of this bill, also called Juli's Law. Read more atarkansasmatters.com."

lifetime for sex crimes

Missouri Develops Ultimate Punishment for Child Rapists
by Carol Forsloff
Feb 12, 2009

Don’t mess with Missouri. Rather don’t mess up a child in some terrible way there or you might be in jail for life if legislators in Missouri get their way.

Missouri has put together a proposal to sentence child rapists or those who sodomize children for a lifetime in prison for their sex crimes. The act maintains these acts as “vile” and “inhuman.” Likely many agree, even those in jail.....

People have passion about child rape and what needs to be done about it. It happens often enough to make people rise up and react. JonBenet Ramsey, the famous case of the child killed in Colorado, was said to have been sexually abused before she was killed...

Missouri may have a way right now to satisfy what many people demand, and that’s an ultimate penalty for what many believe to be an ultimate crime—the rape of a child."

killers or pot on pearl?

BPD is, busy:

Busted! T-Hall pleads guilty in Boulder, Colorado pot arrest
by Tom Winter
February 6, 2009

Sometimes the man gets you down. And that’s exactly what happened in Boulder at the city’s New Visa High School at approximately 2:00 am on December 11 during a Poor Boyz film shoot. The shoot was interrupted by Boulder’s finest (yes, the guys who are still trying to figure out who killed child model and beauty pageant star JonBenet Ramsey) who reported the strong smell of marijuana emanating from a group of skiers in the midst of a rail session. Of course, the cops started asking questions and Tanner, ever the man, stepped up and took responsibility for the “evil weed”, thus earning a ticket for possession of a controlled substance.

Fortunately for Tanner as well as all the hippies who panhandle while smoking dope on Boulder’s infamous Pearl Street Mall, possession isn’t really a big deal in Boulder. Tanner entered a plea agreement of “guilty” yesterday, Thursday February 5, (was there really any question?) and now “owes” society 16 hours of community service plus court costs. Oh, and he’ll have to complete six months of unsupervised probation, too. Once he does that, he’s off the hook, with a clean record. Nice.

Hopefully full legalization of the “evil weed” isn’t too far away, so that Tanner won’t worry about hassles like this in the future and the police can continue in their futile chase of JonBenet’s killer without the distractions of dangerous criminals like Tanner keeping them too busy to go after murderers and rapists."