A murder weapon and piece of clothing found inside a Linn County residence near Center Point led to a suspect's identification after 41 years.
Chief genetic genealogist CeCe Moore of Parabon NanoLabs explains the process of determining someone's identity by analyzing the DNA of the individuals they share genetic material with. The genetic team headed by Moore examined the DNA obtained from both the hammer and fabric that Ron Novak was wearing when he was discovered dead to build a family tree for an unidentified suspect.
The analysis method works well because it detects even minimal DNA matches to the unidentified suspect according to Moore. Parabon NanoLabs utilizes a genetic database that features data from roughly 2 million individuals. The company checked the Novak murder DNA against a genetic database to identify potential DNA matches.
According to Moore everyone involved shared less than one percent of their DNA which suggests that they were distant relatives. The individuals who matched the DNA evidence were probably third or fourth cousins to Novak's killer.
Parabon contacted relatives to obtain their consent for DNA testing in order to refine their search. Their investigation resulted in finding the Shappert family which consisted of several brothers.
The Linn County Sheriff’s office investigated three brothers while charging Michael Schappert with first-degree murder. Michael Schappert attended Kennedy High in Cedar Rapids before he settled near Portland for many years. Now sitting in the Linn County jail.
The solution came about through a small blood sample and advanced technology. A very small sample of DNA is all that's needed for testing. One hair even. Moore confirmed that their identification process will successfully locate your identity.
Parabon NanoLabs charged less than $10,000 to produce the suspect list for this investigation. The company gains access to genetic databases that contain DNA information from individuals who have consented to law enforcement usage.
The majority of individuals who have undergone tests from companies such as Ancestry.com do not have their DNA utilized for forensic purposes.