Cops were looking for the White Elantra before Christmas.
Seriously, since the advent some 20 years ago of the CSI TV franchise, apparently forensic science has really taken off as a popular major. I wonder how many folks go into it thinking hard about how to defeat it? Or turn into that person somewhere along the way.
This even has a name, “The CSI Effect.” Jurors are unwilling to convict obviously guillty people if all that science hasn’t been done.
I remember a Law & Order episode (maybe SVU?) where the defense attorney used that strategy. Did you test the DNA using this fancy latest technology? What about those stray fibers, what were they made of and why haven’t they been fully analyzed? Did you do a full analysis of the rifling of the gun with the latest CT scanner? They went on and on like that.
From the Heavy.com article above:
I wonder if he thought he could pull off a perfect crime. It will be interesting to see if he talks about the planning and if he’s proud that he almost got away with it. I’m curious what his friends will have to say about him. Were there signs he was a psychopath?
But what motive? Simply a thrill seeker?
Idaho is a death penalty state with 8 people currently on death row and three people executed since 1976. I think there is a good chance he will be sentenced to death–but probably 20 years before it happens.
From ABC News: “(Moscow police chief James) Fry would not say if police are looking for more suspects, but he said, “I do believe our community is safe.””
This guy is starting to sound like Leslie Nielsen’s character in Airplane, repeating “Good luck, we’re all counting on you.”
Quite a few people involved in the investigation have shown that they need a basic course in STFU.
Wow, that sounds like one of those high IQ psycho nutjobs.
Sounds like he’d mentally masturbated about this idea for so long he had to finally do the dead for real.
Typo or intentional?
I think the other aspect of the ‘CSI Effect’ here is the expectation the case would be solved right away. The police released little info along the way, which frustrated many, but it’s now looking like keeping quiet while they honed-in on this guy was the smart move in real life.
Moscow, ID and Pullman, WA both are college towns (University of Idaho and Washington State University) just across the state line from one another. So, yeah, I would expect students from both schools to interact.
Very glad they caught this guy. I was worried he’d show up near where I live!
ISTM they must have had all or a significant portion of the license number to find it that quickly in another state. Good old enhanced video from a nearby home’s security camera? You know, “zoom in on that entirely pixelated license plate and get a readable number from it.”
And yet it seems the far more serious danger facing our justice system is judges failing to act as gatekeepers to keep out junk science. For example:
I’ll admit to having had a similar thought.
How would they have DNA evidence linked to him unless it’s on file for a prior criminal offense?
There are publicly-accessible DNA databases with lots of people in them. Even if a suspect isn’t in the database, some of their relatives might be. That lets you narrow things down considerably.
Yes, that is what CNN is reporting as well:
Genetic genealogy helped investigators identify the suspect, a source with knowledge of the case said. DNA found in Idaho was taken through a public database to find potential matches for family members, the source said. Once potential family matches were found, subsequent investigative work by law enforcement led to the identification of Kohberger, according to the source.
If I had to put money on it, this guy probably said something to somebody who then tipped off investigators (who might have then confirmed a tip with forensic science).
Criminals can’t keep their mouths shutt.
ETA: I see there’s a reference to genealogy stuff providing genetic material. If they tied him to the crime strictly on the basis of DNA technology, that’s some impressive detective work
If anyone in his family has ever taken a 23andme or Ancestry DNA test, maybe looking for family heritage, and the cops now have a new unknown DNA sample, they can match it right up to old aunt Sue.
I took one and can see 3rd and 4th cousins, and they have checked out once we start talking about family history…
Read up on Parabon NanoLabs. They do this work, and their website will explain it better than here.
I’ll bet they did this one for free and on a rush basis.