Summary
In May 1990, the remains of an unidentified man were discovered in Woodbridge, Virginia in a wooded area off Fitzhugh Lane. Woodbridge is located 20 miles south of Washington, D.C. in Prince William County, Virginia. Investigators described the man as being White, between 40 and 50 years old, 5’10” tall, and 197 pounds. It was determined that the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The man could not be identified and details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP6474. A forensic sketch depicting the man’s identity was developed and released to the public in hopes that it would aid in his identification. 
In December 2023, Prince William County Police Department submitted forensic evidence to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas, in hopes that advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy could help generate new leads and assist with identifying the unknown man. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.
These new leads enabled a follow-up investigation into the man’s identity. Potential relatives of the man were identified. As a result of this investigation, Prince William County John Doe is now known to be Raymond Smith Martin, who was born on April 9, 1936.
The identification of Ramond Smith Martin represents the eighth case in the State of Virginia where officials have publicly announced the identification of an individual using technology developed by Othram. To view other cases in Virginia, visit DNASolves.
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.