Looking up Sidney Avenue in Port Orchard, Washington. Image courtesy of author.
Note: This is the sixth in a series of articles examining the details surrounding the murder of Linda Malcom. The first article provides information on the known facts and evidence in her case. Read the second article to learn about crowdsourcing and how this tactic can greatly assist in solving cold cases. The third article offers information on the use of victimology and how it can be applied to Linda’s case. The fourth article details my recent visit to the Port Orchard area. The fifth article provides information on the probable murder weapon.
In the early morning hours of April 30, 2008, first responders were dispatched to a house fire on Sidney Avenue in Port Orchard, WA. Once the fire was extinguished, the body of Linda Malcom, 47, was located in the master bedroom. An autopsy determined that it wasn’t the fire that resulted in the loss of her life, but the fact that she had been stabbed multiple times.
Over the past year, the University’s Cold Case Investigative Team, in collaboration with the Port Orchard Police Department, has launched a full re-investigation into Linda’s case. Officials from this police department obtained a grant to pay for the analysis of an unknown DNA profile found in Linda’s residence, using investigative genetic genealogy.
What Is Investigative Genetic Genealogy?
Investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) is a tool used by investigators that uses publicly available ancestry sites to assist in identifying the owner of an unknown DNA profile. Its use by law enforcement began in 2018 with the identification of Joseph D’Angelo, who was known by the moniker of the Golden State Killer. Former cold case investigator Paul Holes and his team are credited with pioneering this new investigative tactic.
IGG can be used to identify the owner of an unknown DNA profile found at the scene of a homicide, sexual assault or other violent crime. It may also be used to uncover the identity of unknown human remains.
Since 1998, if a DNA profile believed to be from a suspect was found at a crime scene or on a victim, that profile is uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Sometimes, a match is detected, and the offender is identified.
Many times, however, there is no match because the offender’s DNA has never been uploaded into CODIS. If someone has never been arrested or convicted of a felony – or if that person has never served in the military – that individual’s DNA won’t be in the database. As a result, many cases have gone unsolved because the perpetrator can’t be identified.
With the advent of IGG, that situation has changed. As a result, 651 cases have now been solved as of February 2024.
How Does Investigative Genetic Genealogy Work?
Investigative genetic genealogy relies on the use of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) technology, which locates mutations along a DNA sample to enable a researcher to develop a DNA profile. The resulting profile can be uploaded into open-source ancestry databases such as Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) and GEDMatch.
These repository sites allow users (outside of law enforcement) to upload their own DNA results to assist in locating relatives, discovering their heritage, and compiling their family tree. A user’s actual DNA sample and resulting profile is never stored on these websites. Instead, their DNA profile is converted into a coded form that is only useful for comparison to other coded forms of DNA.
How Does Law Enforcement Utilize Investigative Genetic Genealogy?
When a law enforcement agency obtains an unknown DNA profile from a crime scene, the associated SNP code can be uploaded to either FTDNA or GEDMatch. The website’s software then compares the SNP results to other coded profiles uploaded to the site by subscribers.
A resulting list of users who share some segments of DNA in common is then generated. Investigators analyze each partial match in order to determine the relatives of that person.
Eventually, a full family tree is created with the goal of identifying the most common recent ancestor of all the matches. From there, investigators can work down the tree and pinpoint the most likely owner of the unknown DNA sample.
Once the likely owner is identified, law enforcement will obtain a DNA sample from that person (or that person’s relatives if the likely owner has passed away) to make the confirmation of a match.
The software on ancestry sites only has the ability to make comparisons to users who have given permission for their coded profile to be compared to offender DNA profiles by law enforcement. These sites have a strict “opt-in” requirement for those users who wish to grant permission for their codes to be compared for investigative purposes.
Could IGG Help Solve Linda Malcom’s Murder?
Law enforcement has not shared what type of DNA (for example, blood, semen, or saliva) was found in Linda Malcom’s house or where in the house it was found. However, it’s clear based on the fact that they obtained grant money for an IGG expert to analyze it and that they feel it may be critical to solving Linda’s case.
If the owner of that DNA profile is identified and that individual has no logical explanation for why their DNA was found in Linda’s house or on her body, that person would likely be added to the suspect list.
In addition, if it’s determined that potential suspect does not have an alibi for the night in question and had the means, motive, and opportunity to commit the crime, that would provide further indication that this person is the culprit.
IGG has been established by the U.S. court and justice system as a valid, legal means of identification.
Readers Can Assist with the Investigation of the Linda Malcom Homicide
Also, interested readers can follow the renewed investigation into Linda’s case by listening to Season 3 of Break The Case, an investigative podcast hosted by George Jared and I. Readers may also join the Facebook group that is dedicated to seeking justice for Linda Malcom. On a regular basis, group administrators post updates and discussion topics.
Anyone with information about the death of Linda Malcom can email our confidential tip line at tips@justice4linda.com or call Detective Walton of the Port Orchard Police Department at 360-876-1700. Tipsters are guaranteed confidentiality.
There is currently a $7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Linda’s killer. Readers can also learn more about the Linda Malcom case by reading an article written by Elisha Meyer, a reporter for the Kitsap Daily News, who recently published an updated article on Linda’s case.
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