Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Teams with Othram to Identify a 2022 John Doe

Summary

In April 2022, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in a marshy area in Boston, Massachusetts. Located in Suffolk County, Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the most populous city in the Commonwealth. An autopsy was conducted and it was determined that the remains were that of a White male of unknown age. The man’s height was measured as 5’6” tall and he weighed approximately 170 pounds. With the man's identity being unknown, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP96627. He became known as Suffolk County John Doe (2022).

In June 2024, the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas in hopes that advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy could help to identify the man. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.

Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted, leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. A reference DNA sample was collected from a possible relative and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man using KinSNP® rapid relationship testing. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, whose name will not be released at this time at the request of his family.

The identification of Suffolk County John Doe (2022) represents the 8th case in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. If you'd like to read about other cases in Massachusetts, visit DNASolves.