This case study details the investigation of the torso of a child found in a dumpster in Lake City, Florida in 1994. The case remained unsolved and the child victim unidentified until 2015. This presentation will discuss the many attempts to identify the victim over a span of twenty-one years and the steps taken to move the investigation forward once an identification was made. The discussion will include the significant crime scene issues encountered in such a case as well as the challenges conducting an investigation involving many agencies. This case will highlight the collaboration of the FBI, local agencies and the prosecution in identifying and successfully prosecuting the offender responsible for the child's death and dismemberment.
Learning Objectives:
Challenges in identifying dismembered remains in cold case investigations
Recovery of evidence, collection, and preservation in both dumpster crime scenes and in hoarder residences
Working large-scale cases which necessitate collaboration with federal and local agencies in several adjoining jurisdictions
