DNA: ID is back after summer hiatus with a doozy of a case!  On Thursday, November 21^st, 1985, Roger Dean was seen by neighbors drinking his morning coffee in his garage.  The next thing they knew, Roger way lying in the cul de sac, shot to death.  His hysterical wife told a terrifying tale of a masked gunman, restraints, demands, a fight, gunshots.  After the dust settled, Roger’s wife and daughter ended up in police crosshairs.  They would be re-traumatized five years later when the killer resurfaced, trying to extort money from the grieving widow.  Even though witnesses had seen the gunman, and the FBI chased the extortionist all over Denver, he eluded authorities, and the case went cold.  But, the gunman had made a crucial mistake, leaving behind evidence that decades later would be used by a savvy law enforcement genealogist to identify him at long last. 

Our guest today is Julia Cowley, who retired from the FBI after 22 years at the agency.  She has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Oregon and a master's degree in forensic science from The George Washington University.  Before joining the FBI, Julia was a Special Agent/Forensic Scientist with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.  When she joined the federal agency, Julia was first posted to the Boston Division. She was also a member and team leader on the Boston Division's Evidence Response Team. Julia then joined the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, and was also assigned to the Evidence Response Team Unit. In her career as an FBI special agent, Julia investigated serial killings and sex offenses, white-collar crime, public corruption, and civil rights. She is certified in Behavioral Analysis by the FBI and was the lead FBI profiler on the Golden State Killer case.  She now hosts the hit podcast "The Consult."

In 1996, Danielle “Danni” Houchins was an outdoorsy 15 year old growing up in Belgrade MT. The new driver went for a solo hike at her favorite recreation area outside town, the West Cameron Bridge fishing access site, on a fall Saturday.  She did not come home. Searchers found her body face down in inches of swampy water.  The ME, coroner and sheriff ruled her death a drowning.  But the manner of death was labeled undetermined… even though injuries to Danni’s person, and forensic evidence, said otherwise.  And thus began the nearly 30 year quest for justice for Danni.  Thanks to a committed new sheriff, a dogged old-school investigator, Danni’s family, and the miracles of modern science, the beloved teen finally got the recognition she deserved, and a form of justice that everyone could live with – except her killer.