The Cape Coral Police Department will be recognized as a Top 5 finalist at a global convention in Austria for “DNA Hit of the Year”, for the work done in solving a 26-year old cold case.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement CODIS Administrator Vicki Bellino nominated the Cornell/Story cold case for this globally prestigious award. More than 50 entries were submitted.
The Cape Coral Police Department was notified on March 15, 2017 that the submission made it into the Top 10:
“We would like to sincerely thank you for your recent submission for the DNA Hit of the Year award. This year we received over 50 case submissions – an unforeseen amount. While every case was interesting from a scientific and investigative standpoint, our top finalist list was limited to 10 cases. We were forced to decline many meritorious cases. However, your case rose above the rest and made it into the finalist list! Your case, along with 9 others, will now be submitted to an international panel of DNA, forensic, and investigative experts for consideration for the DNA Hit of the Year.” -Kyle Schroeder, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs
On April 10th the case was chosen to be in the Top 5:
“We would like to thank you for your recent submission for the DNA Hit of the Year Award. As you know, your case was submitted as a top 5 finalist to the international panel of experts. The panel spent many hours discussing these phenomenal cases, and arrived at a winner. After much debate, your case did not win the award. Your case was scientifically and forensically important and unique. The judges really enjoyed reading all of the cases, especially those that made it down to the top 5. Because of the significance of the top 5 cases, they will be highlighted at the conference in Austria.” -Kyle Schroeder, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs
“To be one of only five cases featured worldwide is an honor and a testament to the incredible work our detectives did, working tirelessly over a quarter century to bring closure to the families and to obtain justice for the victims.” -Cpl. Phil Mullen, CCPD Public Affairs Officer
