Saturday, June 16, 2007

DNA and CODIS Solve Decade Old Crime - Missing and Exploited Children

DNA and CODIS Solve Decade Old Crime - Missing and Exploited Children

DNA and CODIS Solve Decade Old Crime

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the body’s unique biological code which contains the genetic design of each living organism. Each living organism contains an individual DNA profile. DNA stores information about the individual organism. Since a person’s DNA is individualized specifically to that person it can be an identifier in forensic science or cases or paternity. Lately DNA is becoming a household word often heard on the news regarding the arrest, conviction, or release of a person involved in a crime.

Back in the early 50’s James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick, were the first biochemists to propose a model for the structure of DNA. Their work in the structure and identification of DNA has opened up a whole new world for science and a Nobel Prize for both men in 1962. In the present their work brings to the forefront of crime a way to identify parents of children and criminals.

Identical twins form when one fertilized egg divides into halves. Identical twins are the only people who have the same DNA. Fraternal twins form when two eggs, fertilized by two different sperm. Fraternal twins have their own individual DNA. The DNA of a fraternal twin is no closer to matching the DNA of the other fraternal twin than any other sibling DNA would match as most siblings and fraternal twins share about 50% of their genes.

Although identical twins have the same DNA genotype, or internal cell DNA, their DNA has different phenotypes or external ways the DNA shows up. In other words, identical twins have individual fingerprints. So, if a serial rapist has an identical twin, law enforcement must find more evidence to use for conviction. A simple fingerprint however can and will distinguish identical twins.

Federal Law requires all convicted felons provide DNA to the Nation’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). CODIS essentially takes the best of forensic science and computer technology to compare DNA samples of unsolved violent crimes nationwide. If the DNA evidence collected from a crime scene or crime victim was entered into CODIS, and later a felon’s DNA is entered and it matches law enforcement is notified.

This same simple DNA sample for CODIS is exactly what led to the arrest of a serial rapist in a crime over a decade old in Missouri. The sexual assaults happened from 1996 through 1998. As far as law enforcement knows four girls were assaulted. All the girls were assaulted in their or a home of a friend, while parents or adults slept in rooms other bedrooms of the homes. The girls were age 11 to 17 at the time they were raped.

Charles Joseph Steffani was 54, when he received his sentence of 20 years in prison. This sentence given for sexual assaults committed in June 2005 in both the St. Louis and St. Charles counties of Missouri. What happened next is exactly what CODIS is designed to have happen. Steffani, now a felon, had to give DNA sample for CODIS and when he did and it was tested it gave a “hit” that he was a match for the rapes of the four young women in Missouri.

The only downfall is CODIS has caused a backlog in Missouri’s state crime lab as in most states, and this backlog prevented law enforcement officials from receiving the news of the match sooner. Law enforcement only learned last summer about the match with Steffani. Once officials learned there were several hits they began to compare notes among themselves and review old cold cases to see what fit and what did not fit and soon the cold cases heated up.

The first assault occurred when a man entered a home through an unlocked sliding glass door, and assaulted a17-year old in her bedroom, after pulling a pillow case over her head. The next night he entered another suburban home using a garage door opener from a car in a driveway. This time he assaulted a 12-year old, after pulling her shirt over her head. This was November 1996.

Then nothing, until April of 1998, when a 12-year old girl is assaulted while at a sleep over with two other girls. The rapist left all 3 girls with a “message from God”. He told the girls to go to church on Sunday and not to have sex until the girls were married. The last known attack occurred in June of 1998. Once more the man entered the girl’s home with a garage door opener he grabbed from a car in the driveway.

The prosecuting attorney’s office talked to all four survivors recently. How incredible to be able to tell these women that the monster who terrorized them has been identified and is in prison, thanks to the modern wonders of DNA. Now a decade later, the women could finally place a name and face to a childhood monster that crept out of the darkness so quietly a decade ago, Charles Joseph Steffani. A Grand Jury charged Steffani with 17 felonies. Those include multiple counts of forcible sodomy, sexual abuse, and one count of statutory sodomy and forcible rape for each woman.

There was a time unless a survivor could positively identify her attacker, there was no case. DNA technology can identify a rapist years, even decades later. Yes, technology is amazing. Yet, DNA is only as good as the person who collects and preserves the evidence. A crime scene once contaminated loses any DNA that is present.

Recently DNA from stamps attached to an envelope several decades old held clues to the identity of a serial killer who had mailed letters about the crimes he or she committed to a newspaper years earlier. A crime once considered unsolvable, before DNA was even considered as a tool in crime fighting; now one day may be able to identify a serial killer who has tormented a country. Currently any DNA evidence properly collected and preserved increases the chances of the case one day having a resolution, even if several more years down the line. DNA is just the beginning of what is to come in forensics, crime fighting and helping survivors bring closure.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Feature: Canadian Mom Searching for Missing Daughter Denied Entry to US Over 21-Year-Old Drug Conviction | Stop the Drug War (DRCNet)

Feature: Canadian Mom Searching for Missing Daughter Denied Entry to US Over 21-Year-Old Drug Conviction | Stop the Drug War (DRCNet)

9 crucial tips for Safety

Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or love one's life.
Crucial
Because of recent abductions
in daylight hours,refresh yourself
of these things to do
in an emergency situation...
This is for you,
and for you to share
with your wife,
your children,
everyone you know.
After reading these 9 crucial tips ,
forward them to someone you care about.
It never hurts to be careful
in this crazy world we live in.






1 Tip from Tae Kwon Do :
The elbow
is the strongest point
on your body.
If you are close enough to use it,
do!






2. Learned this from a tourist guide
in New Orleans .
If a robber asks
for your wallet and/or purse,
DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM .
Toss it away from you....
chances are
that he is more interested
in your wallet and/or purse
than you,
and he will go
for the wallet/purse.
RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!






3. If you are ever thrown
into the trunk of a car,
kick out the back tail lights
and stick your arm out the hole
and start waving like crazy.
The driver won't see you,
but everybody else will.
This has saved lives.






4. Women have a tendency
to get into their cars after shopping,
eating, working, etc.,
and just sit (doing their checkbook,
or making a list, etc.
DON'T DO THIS!)
The predator
will be watching you,
and this is the perfect opportunity
for him to get in
on the passenger side,
put a gun to your head,
and tell you where to go.
AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR ,
LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

a. If someone
is in the car
with a gun
to your head
DO NOT DRIVE OFF,
repeat:
DO NOT DRIVE OFF!
Instead gun the engine
and speed into anything,
wrecking the car.
Your Air Bag will save you.
If the person is
in the back seat
they will get the worst of it .
As soon as the car crashes
bail out and run.
It is better than having them
find your body
in a remote location.

5 A few notes about getting
into your car in a parking lot,
or parking garage:
A.) Be aware:
look around you,
look into your car,
at the passenger side floor ,
and in the back seat
B..) If you are parked next to a big van,
enter your car from the passenger door .
Most serial killers attack their victims
by pulling them into their vans
while the women are attempting
to get into their cars.
C..) Look at the car
parked on the driver's side
of your vehicle,
and the passenger side.
If a male is sitting alone
in the seat nearest your car,
you may want to walk back
into the mall, or work,
and get a guard/policeman
to walk you back out.
IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead..)


6. ALWAYS
take the elevator
instead of the stairs.
(Stairwells are horrible places
to be alone
and the perfect crime spot.
This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun
and you are not under his control,
ALWAYS RUN!
The predator will only hit you
(a running target)
4 in 100 times;
And even then,
it most likely
WILL NOT
be a vital organ.
RUN,
Preferably !
in a zig -zag pattern!




8. As women,
we are always trying
to be sympathetic:
STOP
It may get you raped,
or killed.
Ted Bundy,
the serial killer,
was a good-looking,
well educated man,
who ALWAYS played
on the sympathies
of unsuspecting women.
He walked with a cane,
or a limp,
and often asked
"for help"
into his vehicle
or with his vehicle,
which is when he abducted
his next victim.
************* Here it is *******
9. Another Safety Point:
Someone just told me
that her friend heard
a crying baby on her porch
the night before last,
and she called the police
because it was late
and she thought it was weird.
The police told her
"Whatever you do,
DO NOT
open the door."
The lady
then said that
it sounded like the baby
had crawled near a window,
and she was worried
that it would crawl
to the street
and get run over.
The policeman said,
"We already have a unit on the way,
whatever you do,
DO NOT open the door."
He told her that they think
a serial killer
has a baby's cry recorded
and uses it to coax
women out of their homes
thinking that someone
dropped off a baby
He said they have not verified it,
but have had several calls
by women saying that
they hear baby's cries
outside their doors
when they're home alone
at night.

Please pass this on and
DO NOT
open the door
for a crying baby ----
This
e-mail should probably
be taken seriously because
the Crying Baby theory
was mentioned on
America 's Most Wanted
this past Saturday
when they profiled
the serial killer in Louisiana .


I'd like you
to forward this
to all the women you know.
It may save a life.
A candle is not dimmed
by lighting another candle.
I was going to send this to the ladies only,
but guys,
if you love your mothers,
wives,
sisters,
daughters, etc.,
you may want to
pass it onto them, as well.

Send this
to any woman you know
that may need
to be reminded
that the world we live in
has a lot of crazies in it
and it's better to be safe
than sorry.
Everyone should take 5 minute to read this. It may save your life or love one's life

FOXNews.com - Report: Cadaver Dogs Get Positive Hit in Home of Missing Mom Lisa Stebic - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

FOXNews.com - Report: Cadaver Dogs Get Positive Hit in Home of Missing Mom Lisa Stebic - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

Police investigating the case of missing Illinois mom Lisa Stebic have relied upon far more than the human mind to help with the search.

The Naperville Sun reports that cadaver dogs used to identify dead bodies have been in the Stebic home, according to Plainfield Police Chief Donald Bennett, and they have made a positive hit.

Leah Roberts,

National Tour Visits Durham to Revive Missing Persons Cases
Advocates Are Traveling Cross-Country in 4th Annual “On the Road to Remember” Tour

Durham, NC – For the fourth year, volunteers from the North Carolina-based CUE Center for Missing Persons will travel across the U.S. to raise awareness of missing children and adults. The team will be in Bay 7 at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham at 2:00 pm on June 11th, to attend their pre planned rally stop hosted by Kara Roberts, whose sister, Leah Roberts, has been missing for over 7 years; media outlets are invited; CUE will be distributing press kits including DVD’s and valuable information concerning those missing, of cases gone cold.


http://www.angelsthatcare.org/newsletter.html

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Omaha Area Families of the Missing Gather to Remember Their Loved Ones

Omaha Area Families of the Missing Gather to Remember Their Loved Ones

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: For further information contact:
Kelly Jolkowski
402-932-0095
kelly.jolkowski@projectjason.org


OMAHA MISSING PERSONS' DAY ON THE CUE CENTER NATIONAL TOUR

Omaha Area Families of the Missing Gather to Remember Their Loved Ones


Omaha, NE, - June 13th, 2007- June 13th, 2007, marks the six year anniversary of the disappearance of then 19 year-old Jason Jolkowski from his home in Omaha, NE. To bring awareness for area missing persons cases and garner community support for the families of the missing, Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey is declaring June 13th as Omaha Missing Persons' Day. Project Jason, founded by the family of Jason Jolkowski, is sponsoring an event to commemorate this day. It will be held at Omaha's Memorial Park at 56th and Underwood Ave from 6:30-8:30pm. The public is invited to attend.

This event will also serve to honor four other families of missing persons from the area. They, along with the parents of Jason Jolkowski, will share their stories.

In addition, the Cue Center, a nonprofit organization from North Carolina led by founder Monica Caison, which provides assistance for families of the missing, has included Omaha and this event as a stop on their national tour to bring awareness for numerous missing person's cases. The 4th annual "On the Road to Remember Tour" begins on June 11th and concludes on June 21st, covering 2,400 miles, 22 stops in 11 states, and 75 missing person cases.

This moving ceremony will begin with a march led by the Air Force Color Guard with bagpipe accompaniment. The Mayor's office will then present the Omaha Missing Persons' Day proclamation to Kelly Jolkowski, President and Founder of Project Jason, and to Monica Caison, Founder of the Cue Center.

The event will also include music and prayer, and will culminate with a symbolic white dove release by each represented family.

Featured Missing Persons' Cases:

Erin Pospisil was just 15 years old on June 3rd, 2001, when she left her home in Cedar Rapids, IA to go visit a friend. Her friend was not home, and when a car pulled up, Erin went over and spoke with the occupants. She entered that vehicle and was never seen again. http://www.projectjason.org/dpforum/thread.php?id=927

Singer-songwriter Gina Bos disappeared on October 17, 2000 after performing at a pub in Lincoln, NE. The next morning, her vehicle was found across the street from the pub with the trunk ajar and her guitar inside. http://www.projectjason.org/dpforum/thread.php?id=280

Nearly 42 years ago, 18 year-old Jackie Rains-Kracman left her home in Columbus, NE, telling her family she was going to a wedding with a friend in Glenwood, IA. The friend returned home, but Jackie didn't. http://www.projectjason.org/dpforum/thread.php?id=725

University of Missouri sophomore Jesse Ross vanished on November 21, 2006, after attending a model United Nations conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago, IL. After a dance, Jesse was seen heading towards his hotel room, which was a ten minute walk from the Sheraton. Jesse never made it back. http://www.projectjason.org/dpforum/thread.php?id=729

Jason Jolkowski disappeared from the driveway of his home in Omaha, NE on Wednesday, June 13th, 2001. He was then 19 years of age. He was preparing to go to work at his part-time job, and was last seen doing his weekly chores outside. http://www.projectjason.org/dpforum/thread.php?id=131

About Project Jason:

Project Jason, located in Omaha, NE was founded in 2003 by the parents of missing young adult Jason Jolkowski. “Our mission as a non profit organization is to create and increase public awareness of missing people through a variety of outreach and educational activities. Project Jason seeks to bring hope and assistance to families of the missing by providing resources and support.” Project Jason serves families of the missing nationwide and has been instrumental in the recent passage of missing persons' legislation in several states through their Campaign for the Missing program. To learn more about Project Jason, please see http://www.projectjason.org, contact Kelly Jolkowski at 402-932-0095 or kelly.jolkowski@projectjason.org

About Cue Center:

Founded in 1994, the Cue Center, (Community United Effort) based in Wilmington, N.C., provides support, services and search efforts to families of the missing. For full On the Road to Remember tour dates and locations, as well as a complete listing of cases featured on the tour, e-mail cuecenter@aol.com or call Monica Caison at (910) 343-1131 or the 24 Hour Line at (910) 232-1687.For more information, please see http://ncmissingpersons.org/
# # #

Important Note: If it is raining, or rain is threatening, the event will be held at Holy Name Church at 2901 N Fontenelle Blvd. (As of this writing, the chance of rain is very high, so it is imperative that the rain location be communicated.)

If the event takes place at Memorial Park, attendees need to bring their own chairs.

A Cry for Help