David Muir

So if you touch David's hand, How much DNA, how many cells have you left there?

Hundreds of cells on his hand. And sometimes you're dealing with 10, 15. Even less. From years ago. Yeah.

Hundreds of cells on his hand. And sometimes you're dealing with 10, 15. Even less. From years ago. Yeah.

And still able to solve the case. It's a very, very sensitive technology.

And still able to solve the case. It's a very, very sensitive technology.

this kathy schwartz case you've chemically labeled all the different parts of the dna in this room right here and what do you do with it from there it is now ready to actually be read this particular dna sequencer is uh one of the most powerful sequencers here with the green yes give me a comparison to what authorities used to have to deal with what would the dna sequence reveal versus what you can reveal with the dna sequencing from this machine now

this kathy schwartz case you've chemically labeled all the different parts of the dna in this room right here and what do you do with it from there it is now ready to actually be read this particular dna sequencer is uh one of the most powerful sequencers here with the green yes give me a comparison to what authorities used to have to deal with what would the dna sequence reveal versus what you can reveal with the dna sequencing from this machine now

Sure. So for the last 30 years, people have used a different kind of DNA testing technology that can measure 20 data points in the DNA. This machine actually can read out the entire sequence. So whereas you might get 20 data points in the earlier versions of this technology, this machine could give you anywhere from 100,000 to a million data points. 100,000 to a million?

Sure. So for the last 30 years, people have used a different kind of DNA testing technology that can measure 20 data points in the DNA. This machine actually can read out the entire sequence. So whereas you might get 20 data points in the earlier versions of this technology, this machine could give you anywhere from 100,000 to a million data points. 100,000 to a million?

100,000 to a million data points.

100,000 to a million data points.

So now that you have this sequencing that they just didn't have access to years ago, in this particular case, for example, what do you then do with that data?

So now that you have this sequencing that they just didn't have access to years ago, in this particular case, for example, what do you then do with that data?

So with the data file that comes out that might have 100,000 to a million DNA markers, you can do a lot more, including genetic genealogy and that search for distant relatives.

So with the data file that comes out that might have 100,000 to a million DNA markers, you can do a lot more, including genetic genealogy and that search for distant relatives.

You're taking what in many cases is a very old DNA sample from these cold cases. You're expanding the DNA sequence, but you're also able to take that information now and put it up against vast public data now because families and relatives and third cousins and fourth cousins have put all of this information out there. And it would seem that this might unlock cold cases everywhere.

You're taking what in many cases is a very old DNA sample from these cold cases. You're expanding the DNA sequence, but you're also able to take that information now and put it up against vast public data now because families and relatives and third cousins and fourth cousins have put all of this information out there. And it would seem that this might unlock cold cases everywhere.

Finding those investigators and then gaining their trust is what Othram says has been critical to their success in helping to crack these cases. In those early years, you have no background in law enforcement. Are you essentially making cold calls to police stations? I spent my time almost exclusively talking to law enforcement.

Finding those investigators and then gaining their trust is what Othram says has been critical to their success in helping to crack these cases. In those early years, you have no background in law enforcement. Are you essentially making cold calls to police stations? I spent my time almost exclusively talking to law enforcement.

You live in Texas, and you know if you want to land a case in Texas, you've got to get to the Texas Rangers. But how did you convince them that we've got a tool here?