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UNIDENTIFIED DECEASED INITIATIVE <br />Unidentified deceased success stories can be attributed to many of the tools that are available <br />to medical examiners and law enforcement when investigating unidentified decedents. Some of <br />these tools include the NCIC/FCIC database, which contains missing person records and can <br />include fingerprint and dental records; the Florida Unidentified Decedents Database <br />(www.fluiddb.com); the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System "NamUs" <br />(www.NamUS.gov); and the Unidentified Deceased Initiative online training video, which was <br />developed by FDLE's Bureau of Professional Development and the Missing Endangered <br />Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC). <br />MEPIC is available to assist in the identification of unidentified medical examiner cases. Their <br />staff can provide assistance with DNA status, fingerprint submissions, dental records, <br />FCIC/NCIC queries on active missing persons cases, resource information, forensic artists and <br />the opening of cases. The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs <br />Enforcement have fingerprint databases from undocumented aliens they have encountered. <br />These databases are not tied into the FBI database. MEPIC can assist the medical examiners in <br />submitting fingerprints through these databases if other avenues fail to produce results. <br />Seven success stories were reported during 2023 from Districts 1, 7, 17 and 19. The number of <br />solved cases has grown significantly due to the analytical and investigative efforts of the MEPIC <br />staff. This has been especially helpful in the identification of decedents who were foreign <br />nationals. <br />District 1 <br />• The District 1 Medical Examiner's Office with the aid of Othram, Inc., has identified human <br />remains found by a road crew in Okaloosa County on September 14, 1994, as Suzanne L. <br />Kjellenberg. On September 15, 1994, the District 1 Medical Examiner's Office received the <br />skeletonized remains of a female found near 1-10. During the initial investigation, the <br />remains were sent to the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory in Gainesville by Dr. <br />Kielman. An osteological examination showed the remains to be that of a white female aged <br />approximately 35 to 55 years. Samples were sent for entomological examination for <br />estimation of time since death. A clay facial reconstruction did not generate any leads. Serial <br />killer Keith Jesperson later admitted to killing a woman and disposing of her remains in the <br />area, stating she called herself Suzanne. In 2007, a forensic artist completed a new facial <br />reconstruction in hopes of identifying the victim. In 2008, the remains were sent for <br />additional anthropological examination at the University of West Florida. Specimens were <br />sent to the FBI Laboratory for DNA analysis and entry into the National Missing Person DNA <br />Database. Mitochondrial DNA was also analyzed and entered into CODIS. In 2018, <br />specimens were sent for isotope analysis at the University of Florida. In late 2022, the <br />District 1 Medical Examiner's Office began working with Othram, a company that uses <br />genetic genealogy to aid in identification. Othram, Inc., based in The Woodlands, Texas, is a <br />leader in using Forensic -Grade Genome Sequencing to develop comprehensive <br />genealogical profiles. The District 1 Medical Examiner's Office sent samples to Othram, Inc. <br />and, with funding through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), <br />a genealogical profile produced leads that led to Kjellenberg's identification. <br />• In December of 2019 skeletal remains were discovered in Pensacola, Florida. The remains <br />were discovered by an individual living in a storage facility adjacent to the drainage culvert <br />where the decedent was located. Law enforcement had advised that there was a known <br />transient camp nearby. In January 2020, the remains were transferred for analysis to Dr. <br />Winburn, Forensic Anthropologist with the University of West Florida and the District 1 <br />Medical Examiner's Office. D1MEO released a left rib to the Escambia County Sheriff's <br />397 <br />