Genetic Genealogy Identifies 1989 John Doe as Ernest Emerson Carter, Aiding Ohio Cold-Case Work

Columbus, Ohio — A modern forensic method known as genetic genealogy has helped Ohio investigators identify human remains found in 1989 and is accelerating progress on other cold cases across the state.

On Nov. 3, 1989, remains were discovered on Walcutt Road in western Franklin County. In October 2025, after 36 years, the unknown man was identified as Ernest Emerson Carter, believed to have been about 66 years old at the time of his death, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Little else about his life or the circumstances of his death is publicly known.

The Franklin County coroner originally submitted the remains to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for DNA testing in 2000. Despite repeated efforts, investigators were unable to identify the man for years.

“He was a true John Doe. We had done everything we could. We scanned the case file, reviewed everything that we could find. It gave us no additional leads into who he was,”

— Jennifer Lester, BCI criminal intelligence analyst

Earlier in 2025, the nonprofit Porchlight Project funded new testing that sent the remains to Othram, a Texas-based private laboratory that specializes in forensic genetic genealogy. Othram uses advanced laboratory techniques to generate usable DNA profiles from degraded samples and then uploads those profiles, when appropriate, to public, opt-in genealogy databases such as GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA.

How Genetic Genealogy Works

Genetic genealogy compares an unknown DNA profile against voluntarily contributed profiles in opt-in databases to find genetic matches. Professional genealogists trace these matches—sometimes as distant as seventh cousins—then combine genetic information with public records (birth certificates, marriage records, obituaries, census data) to build family trees and narrow potential identities.

“These profiles can detect very distant relationships, and then using public records and building family trees, a genealogist will work to identify the direct family from which that DNA originates,”

— Michael Vogen, Othram director of law enforcement solutions

Impact And Notable Cases

The technique gained wide attention in 2018 when genetic genealogy helped identify the Golden State Killer. Since its founding in 2018, Othram says it has assisted in more than 1,000 identifications, including recent Ohio cases: a Youngstown John Doe from 1987 identified as Robert Earl Sanders (22 at the time) and remains found in Toledo in 1987 identified as Tammy Lowe (18).

Genetic genealogy has also been used to identify suspects in cold cases: Columbus police used it in 2020 to solve the 1982 murder of 8-year-old Kelly Prosser, and Cuyahoga County investigators used it in 2023 to identify a suspect in rapes from the early 2000s. Those investigations employed different genealogy providers.

Limitations, Cost, And Policy

Obtaining usable DNA from old or exposed remains can be difficult. Environmental factors—sunlight, heat, humidity—and prolonged decomposition accelerate DNA breakdown, making extraction from bones and other degraded material challenging.

“It’s a lot more challenging to get DNA from samples like bones, especially bones that have been out in the elements and, you know, sadly decomposing over time,”

— Hallie Dreyer, BCI laboratory supervisor

There is no single national standard for the use of forensic genetic genealogy; agencies typically contract services case-by-case. Costs are variable, but multiple sources cite an average around $8,000 per case. Some departments pay directly, pursue federal grants, or accept nonprofit assistance—as in the Carter case where Porchlight Project covered testing.

Othram requires law enforcement engagement to open cases but says members of the public or organizations can email solve@othram.com about potential cases so the company can contact relevant authorities.

Outlook

Proponents argue genetic genealogy is shifting from a last-resort tool for cold cases to a routine investigative resource in both historical and active investigations. Advocates say broader use could dramatically reduce serial offending by making it easier to identify perpetrators who leave DNA at crime scenes.

Authorities continue to balance investigative benefits with privacy considerations, database policies, and the need for clear standards governing when and how genetic genealogy is used.

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