Fox News reports that new DNA technology will move forward the stagnant unresolved murder case of JonBenet Ramsey. The report indicates Colorado authorities will re-examine DNA evidence that may have been misinterpreted by investigators, flaws found by a news organization. JonBenet’s body was found the day after Christmas in the basement of her family home. “In 2008, prosecutors cleared her parents and brother, saying DNA on the girl’s underwear didn’t match anyone in the family.” [1]
JonBenet’s brother Burke recently broke his long-standing silence on the Dr. Phil show. [4] He claims he is innocent of all accusations and suspicions that he had any involvement in the violent crime of his sister’s unsolved murder. In the interview with Dr. Phil, Burke Ramsey says, “I don’t want anybody to stop working on the case. …Focus on finding the real killer and not bogus theories about me and my parents.” [5]
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Criminal Justice
According to the Department of Justice, “The past decade has seen great advances in a powerful criminal justice tool: deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. DNA can be used to identify criminals with incredible accuracy when biological evidence exists. By the same token, DNA can be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons mistakenly accused or convicted of crimes. In all, DNA technology is increasingly vital to ensuring accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system.” [2]
Sex Crimes
If new DNA technology is able to solve the JonBenet case, it would not be the first time a decades-old case is solved by new DNA testing. The BBC reports this month, Jon Bainridge is now going back to jail for the rape and sexual crimes committed on a woman in front of her two children. Bainridge was previously convicted for the murder and rape of another woman in a similar case that authorities suspected were linked but could not prove. Advances in DNA testing are credited with solving the second decades-old crime. “Lawrence English, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said the case shows how valuable it is to preserve all evidence in a case. ‘There is no doubt that this conviction was made possible by the decisions by the police all the way back in 1986 to keep and preserve the samples, despite not knowing how DNA technology would develop,’ he said.” [3]
SOURCES
1. Staff. December 14, 2016. Fox News.
2. Department of Justice. “Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology: Using DNA to Solve Crimes.” Retrieved on December 14, 2016 via https://www.justice.gov/ag/advancing-justice-through-dna-technology-using-dna-solve-crimes.
3. BBC. “A convicted murderer has been given a second life sentence for a rape he committed 30 years ago – thanks to advances in DNA testing.” Retrieved via http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-38269711.
4. Dr. Phil. August 1, 2016. “A Dr. Phil Exclusive: JonBenet Ramsey’s Brother, Burke, Breaks His Silence.” Retrieved via http://www.drphil.com/advice/a-dr-phil-exclusive-jonbenet-ramseys-brother-burke-breaks-his-silence/.
5. Dr. Phil. September 19, 2016. “Who Killed Child Beauty Queen JonBenet Ramsey?” Retrieved via http://www.drphil.com/shows/who-killed-child-beauty-queen-jonbenet-ramsey/.
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