Ramsey

Death of a Death of a Beauty Queen: Beauty Queen: The Murder of The Murder of JonBenet JonBenet RamseyRamsey

BackgroundBackground

• JonBenet Ramsey was found JonBenet Ramsey was found dead at age 6 in her Colorado dead at age 6 in her Colorado home on Dec. 26, 1996home on Dec. 26, 1996

• Parents were John and Patsy Parents were John and Patsy RamseyRamsey

• Older brother Burke Ramsey age Older brother Burke Ramsey age 9 9

JonBenet Ramsey

Ramsey Familyi.cdn.turner.com/.../family-gallery-081806.jpg

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BackgroundBackground

• Parents testified that JonBenet was Parents testified that JonBenet was in bed at 9:30 pm on December 25in bed at 9:30 pm on December 25

• Patsy Ramsey awoke at 5:00 amPatsy Ramsey awoke at 5:00 am– Found a ransom noteFound a ransom note– JonBenet is not in bedroomJonBenet is not in bedroom

• Police are called at 5:25 amPolice are called at 5:25 am– Arrive 7 minutes later and no search of Arrive 7 minutes later and no search of

the premises is conducted at this timethe premises is conducted at this time– Do not secure home as crime sceneDo not secure home as crime scene

• Friends and family allowed to enter Friends and family allowed to enter to be with the Ramseysto be with the Ramseys

BackgroundBackground

• John Ramsey and detectives John Ramsey and detectives eventually conduct search of eventually conduct search of home and find JonBenet in home and find JonBenet in basement at 1:05 pmbasement at 1:05 pm

• Daughter had been strangled and Daughter had been strangled and beatenbeaten

• John Ramsey removes daughter John Ramsey removes daughter from basement from basement

• The question becomes: The question becomes: Who Killed JonBenet?Who Killed JonBenet?

Case HistoryCase History

• John and Patsy Ramsey were suspects John and Patsy Ramsey were suspects from the beginningfrom the beginning

• Media speculation begins immediately Media speculation begins immediately as details are leaked to pressas details are leaked to press

• Boulder police department under fire Boulder police department under fire for improper processing of a crime for improper processing of a crime scenescene

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Case historyCase history

• Cause of DeathCause of Death– Asphyxiation due to strangulationAsphyxiation due to strangulation– Blunt force trauma to the skullBlunt force trauma to the skull

• Time of deathTime of death– Indicated using 3 common methodsIndicated using 3 common methods

Case HistoryCase History• Time of death determined by:Time of death determined by:

– The rate of advancement of rigor mortisThe rate of advancement of rigor mortis (stiffening of (stiffening of muscles caused by chemical changes in muscle tissue after death)muscles caused by chemical changes in muscle tissue after death)• Onset usually begins 2 to 4 hours after death.Onset usually begins 2 to 4 hours after death.• Takes 6 to 12 hours to set in for entire body.Takes 6 to 12 hours to set in for entire body.• Dissipates after 24-36 hoursDissipates after 24-36 hours

– The rate of coolingThe rate of cooling• Normal body temp. is 96-degrees F and gradually decreases Normal body temp. is 96-degrees F and gradually decreases

after death at approx. 1.5-degrees per hour (varies with room after death at approx. 1.5-degrees per hour (varies with room temperature, age and gender)temperature, age and gender)

• Determined by ambient temp. around the body and body size Determined by ambient temp. around the body and body size and clothing.and clothing.

– The odor of decompositionThe odor of decomposition• Depends on room temperature and levels of bacteria and Depends on room temperature and levels of bacteria and

enzyme activityenzyme activity• For every 10 degree increase in room temp. the rate of For every 10 degree increase in room temp. the rate of

decomposition doublesdecomposition doubles

Case HistoryCase History

• Time of deathTime of death– Last seen at 10 pm on 12/25/1996Last seen at 10 pm on 12/25/1996– Body found approx. 1:05 pm on 12/26/1996Body found approx. 1:05 pm on 12/26/1996– Advanced rigor mortis was already present Advanced rigor mortis was already present

when body was foundwhen body was found– Time of death between 10pm on Dec. 25 and Time of death between 10pm on Dec. 25 and

6am on Dec. 26.6am on Dec. 26.– Based on the odor of decomposition, death Based on the odor of decomposition, death

probably occurred at the beginning of this probably occurred at the beginning of this time frametime frame

Case HistoryCase History

• John, Patsy and Burke Ramsey John, Patsy and Burke Ramsey – Media began circulating reports that the family was Media began circulating reports that the family was

responsible for the death beginning as early as responsible for the death beginning as early as December 28, 1996December 28, 1996

– Media lambasted Ramseys for “exploiting” daughter Media lambasted Ramseys for “exploiting” daughter in beauty pageantsin beauty pageants

• Parents maintained innocence and suggested the Parents maintained innocence and suggested the presence of intruderpresence of intruder– 2000 released book “The Death of Innocence”2000 released book “The Death of Innocence”– Libel suits brought against Fox Network for saying no Libel suits brought against Fox Network for saying no

evidence suggested intruder in a 2002 broadcastevidence suggested intruder in a 2002 broadcast

EvidenceEvidence

• Two theoriesTwo theories– Intruder committed murderIntruder committed murder– Family committed murderFamily committed murder

• Evidence to support bothEvidence to support both

EvidenceEvidence

• Ransom noteRansom note• DNA trace on body and under fingernailsDNA trace on body and under fingernails• White synthetic cord and paint stick used as White synthetic cord and paint stick used as

murder weaponmurder weapon• Broken/open basement windowBroken/open basement window• Palm print found outside basement windowPalm print found outside basement window• Baseball bat found with carpet fibers presentBaseball bat found with carpet fibers present• Abrasions from stun gun?Abrasions from stun gun?• Footprint in basementFootprint in basement• Pubic hair Pubic hair

EvidenceEvidence• Ransom note analysisRansom note analysis

– Handwriting analysisHandwriting analysis– Use comparison microscopeUse comparison microscope

• Need examples from suspectsNeed examples from suspects

– VisualVisual• Letter – curves, slants, sizeLetter – curves, slants, size• Line –smooth, dark linesLine –smooth, dark lines• Formatting - spacing Formatting - spacing

– Individualizing evidenceIndividualizing evidence• If too many differences exist between the If too many differences exist between the

samples and ransom note than it is not a samples and ransom note than it is not a matchmatch

http://www.miami-criminal-defense.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/jonbenet_ramsey_ransom_note.jpg

EvidenceEvidence

• Many investigators believed that the Many investigators believed that the Ramseys were responsibleRamseys were responsible– Paper/pen found in Ramsey homePaper/pen found in Ramsey home– Wording indicated a “female” voiceWording indicated a “female” voice– $118,000 demand unusual$118,000 demand unusual

• Amount of John Ramsey’s bonusAmount of John Ramsey’s bonus

– 3 pages in Length3 pages in Length– Signed S.B.T.C?Signed S.B.T.C?

EvidenceEvidence

• Fingernail scrapingsFingernail scrapings– Identified by Y-STR markersIdentified by Y-STR markers

• Y chromosome short tandem Y chromosome short tandem repeatsrepeats

– Difficult to separate epithelial Difficult to separate epithelial cells of males and femalescells of males and females• Ideal method when victim is Ideal method when victim is

female and suspect is supposedly female and suspect is supposedly malemale

– Use PCR to amplify and analyzeUse PCR to amplify and analyze– Not individualizing because all Not individualizing because all

males of the same paternal line males of the same paternal line would have matching resultswould have matching results• Same as mitochondrial analysisSame as mitochondrial analysis

http://www.forensicmag.com/articles.asp?pid=140

EvidenceEvidence

• DNA found underneath JonBenet’s DNA found underneath JonBenet’s fingernails was unidentified male DNAfingernails was unidentified male DNA– Did not match father or brotherDid not match father or brother

• Pointed to possibility of intruder Pointed to possibility of intruder theorytheory

EvidenceEvidence

• DNA was found on the victim’s underwearDNA was found on the victim’s underwear• Analyzed by V-NTRsAnalyzed by V-NTRs

– Use specific restriction enzyme sites to compare Use specific restriction enzyme sites to compare suspects DNA to unknown sample from crime suspects DNA to unknown sample from crime scenescene

• DNA must be isolated from matrixDNA must be isolated from matrix• Measure quantity of DNA from sampleMeasure quantity of DNA from sample• Amplify with PCRAmplify with PCR• Gel Electrophoresis to compare with reference Gel Electrophoresis to compare with reference

samplessamples• Results can be inclusive, exclusive or Results can be inclusive, exclusive or

inconclusiveinconclusive– 1997 results were inconclusive1997 results were inconclusive

EvidenceEvidence

• Pubic hair samplesPubic hair samples– Not individualizingNot individualizing

• Match color, length, diameterMatch color, length, diameter• Use comparison microscopeUse comparison microscope• Pubic hair at crime scene did not Pubic hair at crime scene did not

match any family membersmatch any family members

EvidenceEvidence• Murder WeaponMurder Weapon

– Synthetic white cord that was tightened with a Synthetic white cord that was tightened with a paint stick around child’s neck and wristspaint stick around child’s neck and wrists• Korea printed on stickKorea printed on stick• Several types of paint Several types of paint

– Duct tape found on mouthDuct tape found on mouth• Removed by John RamseyRemoved by John Ramsey• No photos taken No photos taken • Could not find any evidence that duct tape was from Could not find any evidence that duct tape was from

homehome– Need to have something to compare to under a microscopeNeed to have something to compare to under a microscope

» Analyze adhesive backing by FTIRAnalyze adhesive backing by FTIR» Could have been useful if comparison sample was Could have been useful if comparison sample was

availableavailable

EvidenceEvidence

• Open basement Open basement windowwindow– Point of entry for Point of entry for

intruder?intruder?

• Unidentified palm Unidentified palm print found outside print found outside basement windowbasement window– Did not match any Did not match any

family membersfamily members

• Stun gun marks?Stun gun marks?

• Foot print made by Foot print made by Hi-tec stamped Hi-tec stamped hiking boot found hiking boot found in dust in cellarin dust in cellar– Did not belong to Did not belong to

anyone in familyanyone in family

• Baseball bat found Baseball bat found outside with fibers outside with fibers matching carpet matching carpet from basementfrom basement

Basement window Boot

Murder weapon

Stun gun

i.cdn.turner.com/.../PG-Basement-window.jpg

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http://www.spycentre.com/images/Air_Taser_Gun_Style.jpg

Contamination Contamination of a Crime Sceneof a Crime Scene

• Police arrive around 5:40 amPolice arrive around 5:40 am– Do not search home or treat as active crime Do not search home or treat as active crime

scenescene

• Friends and family are allowed to enter the Friends and family are allowed to enter the home for hours until they find JonBenethome for hours until they find JonBenet

• John Ramsey finds daughterJohn Ramsey finds daughter– Removed from basementRemoved from basement– Removed tapeRemoved tape– Locard’s principleLocard’s principle

• Lack of crime scene photosLack of crime scene photos• Only murder in Boulder for over a yearOnly murder in Boulder for over a year

Ramseys : guilty Ramseys : guilty until Proven until Proven Innocent?Innocent?• Media circusMedia circus

– Ridicule Ramseys for “exploiting” daughter Ridicule Ramseys for “exploiting” daughter in beauty pageantsin beauty pageants

– Guilt indicated by “lawyering” up, not Guilt indicated by “lawyering” up, not “cooperating” with police, and hiring a PR “cooperating” with police, and hiring a PR firmfirm

• All leaks to mediaAll leaks to media– ““staged” crime scenestaged” crime scene– ““intentional” contamination of crime sceneintentional” contamination of crime scene– No signs of forced entryNo signs of forced entry

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Vindication?Vindication?

• 2003 2003 – DNA profile of unknown male assailantDNA profile of unknown male assailant– No match in databaseNo match in database

• 20042004– Patsy Ramsey dies from ovarian cancerPatsy Ramsey dies from ovarian cancer

• 20062006– John Mark Karr admitted to killing JBRJohn Mark Karr admitted to killing JBR

• Was being held on child pornography chargesWas being held on child pornography charges• DNA did not match profileDNA did not match profile• Possible accomplice – handwriting possible match Possible accomplice – handwriting possible match

for ransom notefor ransom note• Charges eventually droppedCharges eventually dropped

CurrentCurrent

• July 2008, Boulder District Attorney July 2008, Boulder District Attorney office releases statement that Ramseys office releases statement that Ramseys are no longer suspectsare no longer suspects

• New DNA technique New DNA technique – Touch DNATouch DNA– Based on skin cells (7-8 cells)Based on skin cells (7-8 cells)

• Analyze what is left behind on victim or murder Analyze what is left behind on victim or murder weaponweapon

• Use PCRUse PCR• Fluorescent compound mixed with 13 specific Fluorescent compound mixed with 13 specific

locations on DNAlocations on DNA– Guess work : Where was a victim touched?Guess work : Where was a victim touched?

CurrentCurrent

• As of February 2009 the new district As of February 2009 the new district attorney of Boulder, Colorado has attorney of Boulder, Colorado has reopened the case based on touch DNA reopened the case based on touch DNA evidenceevidence

Nancy Grace Clip: Reopening JonBenet Ramsey CaseNancy Grace Clip: Reopening JonBenet Ramsey Case

Works CitedWorks Cited

• http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murhttp://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/ramsey/evidence_2.htmlders/famous/ramsey/evidence_2.html

• http://forensicscience.suite101.com/article.cfm/forehttp://forensicscience.suite101.com/article.cfm/forensic_evidence_in_the_ramsey_casensic_evidence_in_the_ramsey_case

• http://edition.cnn.com/2006/LAW/08/18/ramsey.crihttp://edition.cnn.com/2006/LAW/08/18/ramsey.crimescene/index.htmlmescene/index.html

• http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/famous_crihttp://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/famous_crime/121/the_investigation/1/JonBenet_Ramsey.htmme/121/the_investigation/1/JonBenet_Ramsey.htm

• www.dropshots.com/.../63223/20060816/173551.jpgwww.dropshots.com/.../63223/20060816/173551.jpg