Newsflash #2

AISOCC member Joseph Giacalone commented on the 1998 cold case of Teresa Burleson, and her children Chelsi and Schyler.

From NewsOK: “Burleson and her two children died in a house fire in Oklahoma City shortly before 6 a.m. on Mother’s Day in 1998. When firefighters arrived, the structure was engulfed in heavy flames and thick smoke. Firefighters found the three bodies in the living room of the home at 4709 S Santa Fe Ave. Burleson was 28, Chelsi was 9, and Shyler was 7.

Fire investigators initially said they were “98 percent sure” the fire wasn’t deliberately set. Five years later, fire investigators reached the conclusion that arson was to blame, saying there was no other plausible explanation. Oklahoma City police didn’t take over the investigation until last year.

Giacalone said that more than a decade passed before police took over the investigation means investigators don’t have access to the same evidence they would have for a more recent homicide. The family has offered a $20,000 reward in 2002 for information about the fire. When no one came forward, the family increased the reward to $30,000 in 2003 and to $35,000 in 2004. But those rewards haven’t gotten the family any closer to an answer.”

Joe is always willing to answer questions related to cold cases. You can contact him here.

Another AISOCC member, Laura Pettler, spoke about the case of Susan and Sarah Wolfe. She believes that whoever was responsible for their slaying was after “control, greed and power.”

From Triblive: “Police suspect Susan Wolfe, a teacher’s aide, died first. They found her body naked and doused with bleach. Her sister, a psychiatrist, was fully clothed nearby with her coat half-removed. Pettler said the use of bleach could indicate the suspect knows his DNA is part of a national database, and wanted to remove any trace of it from the scene. Police have collected items for possible DNA testing, but have not shared details.”

Definitely a case to watch closely.

Last, the Society’s newsletter is out and can be found here. Turn to page 35 to see which cases have been reviewed so far.

Welcome Beth Ordeman

The AISOCC welcomes Beth Ordeman as new consulting member. Beth Ordeman, MS – Beth has 12 years of casework experience including many cold cases with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory. She was named Forensic Scientist of the Year for the State of Florida in 2009 due to her role in solving a cold case.

From WCTV: “Crime Laboratory Analyst (CLA) Ordeman was named FDLE’s “Forensic Scientist of the Year” for her role in helping the St. Petersburg Police Department solve an 18-year-old homicide case where the suspect left behind a baseball cap containing very little forensic evidence.

Using improved DNA collection techniques, CLA Ordeman was able to produce a DNA profile that matched a convicted offender who was a victim of a homicide in 2007.

Last year, CLA Ordeman completed 406 service requests, exceeding the expected productivity by 90 percent. Ordeman joined FDLE in 2001 and is assigned to FDLE’s Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center.”

The case referred to above concerned the 1991 cold case of James Butler. From the Tampa Bay Times: “The DNA profile belonged to Alphonso Williams, authorities said. He was 19 when Butler was killed, but died in September 2007. Police said Williams was gunned down on his bike by someone in a passing SUV just 2 miles from where Butler was killed. Williams, 35, died after compiling an extensive criminal record. His murder remains unsolved.”

Beth has testified as a DNA expert more than 40 times. She developed and executed the Forensic Screening Workshop for the National Forensic Science Technology Center. She also served on the Hillsborough County Cold Case Review Team for several years.

Beth teaches Forensic DNA testing and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in the University of Florida’s distance education master’s degree program.

Welcome Beth!