The 6-step process of NMU-Michigan State Police 6-Step Cold Case Investigations Process
Students on NMU’s Criminal Justice Cold Case Homicide Seminar team up with the Michigan State Police (MSP) to gain practical experience in forensic analysis and criminal investigation while generating new investigative leads for unsolved criminal cases. Open to all majors with a junior standing, the program includes training in criminal investigation techniques; insights into forensic science and law; working with detectives and forensic specialists; and reviews of cold homicide and missing person cases. This takes place in a secure area in Gries Hall. To enroll in the program, students have to interview for a spot on the limited roster, undergo a background check and sign a non-disclosure agreement. They also lock up their cell phones and laptop computers before they enter the operations center.
This summer, an investigative lead previously provided by students in the cold case program helped the MSP identify the man who kidnapped and sexually assaulted a woman in Delta County 39 years ago.
According to an MSP press release, in August 1986, a female reported she was assaulted while taking a bike trip from her home in Lac du Flambeau, Wis. to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. She had stopped to use a public bathroom at the Big Fishdam River access off US-2 in Garden Township. When she exited the bathroom, she was forced at gunpoint into the suspect's car, driven around and repeatedly sexually assaulted before he released her.
Initial investigative efforts were unsuccessful in identifying the suspect. Despite periodic reviews, there were no breakthroughs in the case until fall 2023, when detectives utilized their ongoing partnership with NMU's program to have the class analyze the files with “fresh eyes.”
Students determined that DNA collected during the investigation and entered into the national CODIS law enforcement database with an unknown profile was a good candidate for a relatively new technology called Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). FIGG uses DNA evidence from crimes and genealogical databases to trace familial connections.
“FIGG was first used in an active criminal investigation in 2018, and it has truly evolved into a game-changer in cold case investigations,” said course instructor Christopher MacMaster, who retired as a lieutenant with the MSP and also served as a trooper, investigator and polygraph examiner over his 25-year career. “Based on the students' review, the MSP contracted with a private laboratory to complete the testing and identified a perpetrator living in the state of Wisconsin. It takes time for this process and many steps needed to be taken, both investigative and through the courts.
The State Police were able to get a search warrant to obtain a DNA sample from that individual to confirm a match, then they secured an arrest warrant.” The 78-year-old male was found deceased in his Argonne, Wis. home two days before the arrest warrant was executed. His death is being investigated. He had been a resident of Harris, Michigan, at the time of the incident, which was about a 45-minute drive from the crime scene, and moved shortly after.
MSP Trooper Jenna Laway, who completed recruit school in November and is stationed at the St. Ignace post, is an NMU criminal justice graduate and former teaching assistant in the cold case program. She was in the fall 2023 class that analyzed this case.
“It's very rewarding to know that you've played a role in giving closure to the victim, family and investigators,” said Laway. “And it's unique to have that kind of experience reviewing a case, especially in college. Being able to go hands on with an investigation like that was fantastic in helping me prepare for my career. I was able to see how reports are written from time of call to when all the leads are exhausted. And it was valuable to see what an investigation looked like, even if I'm not doing that kind of investigation right now. Knowing we helped solve the case reinforced my confidence and my decision to become a trooper.”
Because the suspect's death occurred prior to arraignment, his name is being withheld, but the victim was advised that her assailant was positively identified through DNA comparison.
“She was very appreciative of all of our efforts to work together with the State Police to effectively resolve the case,” MacMaster added. “This is a milestone victory for us to have our first solved case. We've reviewed nine U.P. cold cases since the program started in fall 2022, and we're excited to start looking at others with our new cohort of 20 students this fall. We want to help law enforcement move as many of these forward as possible.”
—By Kristi Evans