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Othram and Connecticut OCME Collaborate to Bring Answers to Long-Unsolved Cases through Advanced DNA Testing Technology

The collaboration leverages state-of-the-art DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy to resolve unsolved human remains cases.

The Woodlands, TX — August 9, 2023

Othram, the leading forensic sequencing laboratory for law enforcement, is proud to announce a collaboration with the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to leverage advanced DNA testing technology to solve human remains cases that have long remained unresolved.

A key component to the collaboration is Othram's DNASolves crowdfunding platform. DNASolves is a powerful tool for crowdfunding casework, enabling the public to participate in seeking justice for victims and their families. As part of this collaboration, DNASolves is being utilized to fund 16 unsolved cold cases handpicked by the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Forensic evidence is being processed at Othram’s laboratory, the world’s first private laboratory purpose-built for forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) and other advanced DNA testing applications. The efforts of Othram and the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner have already yielded significant results, with 4 cases already announced as solved. The breakthroughs achieved thus far have brought answers to families who have endured decades of uncertainty and grief.

"We are honored to assist the Connecticut Office of the Medical Examiner in seeking justice for these unidentified victims," said Dr. David Mittelman, Othram CEO.

With 4 cases already solved, each of the 12 remaining cases represent an opportunity to bring answers to families and communities. Othram invites everyone to visit the collaboration project page on DNASolves to follow ongoing investigations and contribute to the crowdfunding efforts of cases that still need funding.

“These cases have never been forgotten and have had all the forensic exams done to help identify them with what is available to us,” said Michelle Clark, Medicolegal Death Investigator for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. “With forensic genetic genealogy, we finally have the technology to identify the remains and finally give families some peace of mind and give the unidentified a name and the ability for their loved ones to place them to rest.”

Othram and the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner extend their gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the DNASolves platform, standing together in the pursuit of truth and justice.

About Othram

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 recovery, 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 fail. Follow Othram on Twitter @OthramTech or visit Othram.com to learn how we can help you with your case. Visit dnasolves.com to learn how anyone can make a difference in helping solve the next cold case.

About Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is an independent state agency responsible for the investigations of sudden, unexpected, or violent deaths in the state of Connecticut. Which includes unidentified human remains. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office provides certification of the cause of death to identify, document, and interpret relevant forensic information used in criminal and civil legal proceedings of violent, suspicious, and sudden unexpected deaths by board certified forensic pathologists.

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