DNA and Facial Reconstruction to Identify 'Burning Woman' in New York Subway
They are considering using facial reconstruction and DNA analysis to solve the case, sources told The New York Post.
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| Subway in New York City |
The woman was reportedly asleep when she was set on fire. She suffered severe burns that affected all layers of her skin and deeper tissues, including her respiratory tract.
Due to the severity of the burns, authorities are exploring various options, including anthropological facial reconstruction. This method helps create an approximation of a person’s face from their bones and is often used when DNA or other identification methods fail.
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Nathan Lents, a biology professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, explained that facial reconstruction is typically used when a case has gone cold and there are not many leads. He said it is used when databases do not provide any matches, and investigators need the public's help to identify the person.
Investigators are also focusing on extracting DNA, which is challenging due to the burns. However, Lents suggested that DNA can often still be recovered from bones or internal soft tissue that may not have been affected by the fire. Bones like the pelvis, shoulder blade, and femur are particularly rich in DNA.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez confirmed that authorities have made progress in extracting DNA but are not yet able to identify the woman. He said advanced fingerprinting and DNA efforts are being made, but he could not provide specifics.
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| Horrifying images show maniac Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, accused of burning woman to death on NYC subway, watching her burn before telling cops he doesn’t remember it |
Authorities have not disclosed details on the DNA findings, but experts suggest the next step will likely involve comparing the recovered DNA with databases of missing persons and criminal records. However, Lents pointed out that the odds of finding a match are slim, as most people are not included in such databases.
The case is further complicated because the victim has only been described as homeless, and no family members have come forward to help with the identification.
The suspected attacker, 34-year-old Guatemalan migrant Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, has been arrested and charged with the crime.
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Facial reconstruction and genetic genealogy using databases like 23andMe to trace the victim’s family history are both being considered, but these methods are lengthy and may not yield immediate results. Facial reconstruction, while sometimes successful, often provides only approximate likenesses and does not always lead to positive identification.
As investigators continue their search for answers, the case remains a profound tragedy and a complex forensic challenge.
