Will Touch DNA Solve the Cold Case of JonBenet Ramsey?

Posted by Karen Lotter Jan 1, 2009

I do not know what it is about the cold case of JonBenet Ramsey that is quite so captivating. I think it is the combination of the painted beauty queen image; the horror of a six year old girl from a privileged family being brutally sexually assaulted and murdered in her parents home and the whole media circus that followed this unsolved case.

I remember watching John and Patsy Ramsey, the distraught parents playing cat and mouse with the media and law enforcement while little JonBenet’s images were flashed across the world’s media 12 years ago on 26 December 1996.

Beauty Pageants

Recoiling in horror at the painted and coiffed beauty pageant child, I immediately believed her parents were involved, as did Boulder Colorado’s inept law enforcement and a large section of the media and the public. They were just so strange.

Forensic Experts

Over the years countless forensic experts - Dr Henry Lee, Dr Cyril Wecht – the big guns – became involved, each with his or her own opinion. Nobody agreed with anyone in spite of the forensic evidence and the case remained cold.

Bungled Investigation

It is quite strange now, in retrospect to read all the information of the investigation and all the bungles and twists and turns then the totally bizarre John Mark Carr incident -and to know that nobody knows who killed JonBenet Ramsey.

The Ramsey case is still unsolved although in mid 2008, Touch DNA results confirmed that a man, yet to be identified, touched JonBenet’s long underwear. This matched the DNA found in JonBenet's underpants.

John and Patsy Ramsey and other relatives were excluded on the basis of that DNA evidence.

Police believe the DNA belongs to the killer. They just don't know who he is. They are waiting for a match to solve this sensational cold case.