Peter Van Sant

Elfmont asked the Montana State Crime Lab to use their newest technology to retest the semen on Dani's underwear. At last, a breakthrough, a partial DNA profile. But there were no matches to names in the case file. And when Elfmont compared it to CODIS, the vast federal digital repository of DNA samples from convicted felons... We didn't get any hits.

Elfmont asked the Montana State Crime Lab to use their newest technology to retest the semen on Dani's underwear. At last, a breakthrough, a partial DNA profile. But there were no matches to names in the case file. And when Elfmont compared it to CODIS, the vast federal digital repository of DNA samples from convicted felons... We didn't get any hits.

Elfmont asked the Montana State Crime Lab to use their newest technology to retest the semen on Dani's underwear. At last, a breakthrough, a partial DNA profile. But there were no matches to names in the case file. And when Elfmont compared it to CODIS, the vast federal digital repository of DNA samples from convicted felons... We didn't get any hits.

But Elfmont was undeterred and decided to go a less conventional route. He turned to genetic genealogy, an investigative genealogist, CeCe Moore.

But Elfmont was undeterred and decided to go a less conventional route. He turned to genetic genealogy, an investigative genealogist, CeCe Moore.

But Elfmont was undeterred and decided to go a less conventional route. He turned to genetic genealogy, an investigative genealogist, CeCe Moore.

Moore is an expert at building out family trees from DNA samples using information from popular genealogy websites, bringing cold cases back to life. But to solve this case, Moore needed a special type of DNA profile. Problem was, they didn't have enough DNA from that semen.

Moore is an expert at building out family trees from DNA samples using information from popular genealogy websites, bringing cold cases back to life. But to solve this case, Moore needed a special type of DNA profile. Problem was, they didn't have enough DNA from that semen.

Moore is an expert at building out family trees from DNA samples using information from popular genealogy websites, bringing cold cases back to life. But to solve this case, Moore needed a special type of DNA profile. Problem was, they didn't have enough DNA from that semen.

Elfmont did have more evidence for retesting. Four male hairs that had been found on Dani, which had been perfectly preserved for 27 years. They had never yielded any usable DNA because they were rootless hairs without any skin cells.

Elfmont did have more evidence for retesting. Four male hairs that had been found on Dani, which had been perfectly preserved for 27 years. They had never yielded any usable DNA because they were rootless hairs without any skin cells.

Elfmont did have more evidence for retesting. Four male hairs that had been found on Dani, which had been perfectly preserved for 27 years. They had never yielded any usable DNA because they were rootless hairs without any skin cells.

But Elfmont asked around and connected with Astraea Forensics, a state-of-the-art private lab that's at the forefront of extracting DNA from previously unattainable genetic matter. As if there wasn't enough drama in this case, the first two hairs Astraea tested produced nothing usable. So the last two hairs are examined. Are they able to get a profile?

But Elfmont asked around and connected with Astraea Forensics, a state-of-the-art private lab that's at the forefront of extracting DNA from previously unattainable genetic matter. As if there wasn't enough drama in this case, the first two hairs Astraea tested produced nothing usable. So the last two hairs are examined. Are they able to get a profile?

But Elfmont asked around and connected with Astraea Forensics, a state-of-the-art private lab that's at the forefront of extracting DNA from previously unattainable genetic matter. As if there wasn't enough drama in this case, the first two hairs Astraea tested produced nothing usable. So the last two hairs are examined. Are they able to get a profile?

It was a critical breakthrough. Elfmont got permission from a judge to compare this enhanced DNA profile to samples in popular genealogy databases, where people voluntarily submit their DNA profiles. By spring 2024, CeCe had what she needed to get to work.

It was a critical breakthrough. Elfmont got permission from a judge to compare this enhanced DNA profile to samples in popular genealogy databases, where people voluntarily submit their DNA profiles. By spring 2024, CeCe had what she needed to get to work.

It was a critical breakthrough. Elfmont got permission from a judge to compare this enhanced DNA profile to samples in popular genealogy databases, where people voluntarily submit their DNA profiles. By spring 2024, CeCe had what she needed to get to work.

Moore was able to identify the great-grandparents on both sides of the suspect's family tree. She then found one marriage that proved decisive.

Moore was able to identify the great-grandparents on both sides of the suspect's family tree. She then found one marriage that proved decisive.