Summary
In June 2014, the skeletal remains of a young child were found in Honolulu, Hawaii. The remains were transferred to the Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner’s office for examination. It was determined that the skeletal remains were that of a young female, approximately 33-35 inches tall, and between the ages of 2 and 6 years old. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP57800. 
In August 2024, the Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner, working with the Honolulu Police Department, submitted evidence to Othram's laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to identify the child. Othram scientists were able to develop a DNA extract from the evidence so that a DNA profile could be built for the young girl using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®. During the course of the investigation, a possible relative of the young girl was identified. The DNA profile of the potential relative was compared to the unknown girl’s DNA profile using KinSNP® Rapid Relationship Testing. This led to the positive identification of the young girl, who is now known to be Mary Sue Fink. Mary Sue was born April 29, 1959, more than 65 years ago.
This case was worked as part of Othram's Project 525 initiative. Project 525, launched on May 23, 2024, in collaboration with RTI, which manages the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), aims to bring resolution to five hundred twenty-five juvenile cases published in NamUs. Funding for Othram's casework costs associated with the advanced DNA testing in this case was provided by NamUs, a national clearinghouse that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories. NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International. We are grateful for the support of RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ.
The identification of Mary Sue Fink represents the second case in the State of Hawaii where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to learn about other cases in Hawaii and beyond.
Michael Vogen
Director of Case Management
Michael works with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada on “unsolvable“ cases that can benefit from advanced DNA testing methods. He helps these agencies use cutting edge DNA sequencing and new forensic techniques to develop investigative leads for their cases.