The Yukon RCMP Historical Case Unit and Yukon Coroner's Service Team with Othram to Identify a Homicide Victim from 1981

The homicide victim, Theodore Frederick Kampf, was an American citizen from New Jersey, traveling in Yukon in 1981
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Published September 14 by Michael Vogen
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Summary

In May, 1983 human remains were found in a wooded area near the North Fork Dam and Dempster Highway. Despite an extensive investigation at the time by Yukon RCMP, the identity of the human remains seen to be a adult male was never determined. The cause of death was and continues to be seen as suspicious.

In 2019, the newly formed Yukon RCMP HCU began actively working on this investigation with particular emphasis on determining the man's identity. The National DNA Data Bank (NDDB) was able to obtain a DNA profile from his remains. However, no match was made despite comparison attempts made both nationally and internationally.

With all leads exhausted, law enforcement turned to Othram and advanced DNA testing. Othram used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive genealogical profile from old, degraded skeletal remains. The Othram genealogy team produced investigative leads that were then returned to the Yukon RCMP HCU. This led investigators to begin working with the Oaklyn Police Department and New Jersey State Police on a missing person case from their jurisdiction. In a joint effort by the University of North Texas Health Science Centre (UNTHSC) and NDDB, comparisons were done between the human remains and the missing person resulting in a match.

The human remains have been identified as Theodore Frederick Kampf, an American citizen from New Jersey. Mr. Kampf, who was 46-years old at the time, travelled from New Jersey to the Yukon in July, 1981. His family reported him missing in October after he stopped contacting them. Investigators have continued this investigation and believe that Mr. Kampf was murdered in the same month – July 1981 by a person or persons. Please help us in determining what happened to Mr. Kampf. Anyone who has knowledge of Mr. Kampf and / or the events leading up to his death is asked to call or email the Yukon RCMP Historic Case tip line, 867-667-5500, MDIV_HCU@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

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Michael Vogen

Michael Vogen

Director of Case Management

2829 Technology Forest Blvd Suite 100, The Woodlands, Texas 77381
media@othram.com

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.

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Othram is the world’s first private DNA laboratory built specifically to apply the power of modern parallel sequencing to forensic evidence. Othram’s scientists are experts at ... Read morerecovery, enrichment, and analysis of human DNA from trace quantities of degraded or contaminated materials. Founded in 2018, and located in The Woodlands, Texas, our team works with academic researchers, forensic scientists, medical examiners, and law enforcement agencies to achieve results when other approaches have failed. Follow Othram on Twitter @OthramTech or visit Othram.com to learn how we can help you with your case. With dnasolves.com anyone can make a difference and help solve the next cold case.