DNA-generated photo gives face to torso found in dunes on Cape Cod beach – WCVB Boston

A DNA generated photo has finally put a face on a mans torso found in the dunes of Cape Cod almost six years ago.Investigators hope distribution of the composite photo developed from the mans DNA will help identify the victim and lead them to his killer.On June 4, 2014, only the torso of the victim was found, wrapped inside layers of plastic and a tarp, and dumped in the dunes of Town Neck Beach in Sandwich.Last year, 5 Investigates opened the case file on the victim known only as the man in the dunes. We spoke then with State Police Sgt. Matt Lavoie, who is the lead detective."The limbs were removed in such a way to hinder identification, probably to get rid of tattoos, Lavoie said. We ran the victim's DNA through the national databases, there were no hits. There wasn't much of a description to work on." With no new leads to follow, detectives turned to the high-tech crime fighting tools of Parabon Labs in Virginia, which used DNA from the torso to create the image of the mans face. The victim is believed to have been between 5-feet, 8-inches and 6-feet tall, 230 pounds with a surgical scar on the right side of his stomach, police said. The torso was found on a blue dolly and was dressed in a T-shirt from Windustrial Supply company in Cranston, Rhode Island.Until now, investigators had no idea what the victim even looked like and his killer has never been found. It is a critical first step in any murder investigation to identify the victim, Lavoie said."We can find out where they were from, what kind of life they led, who they dealt with in their personal life and hopefully try and track down the last people they dealt with, if possible, and maybe get a suspect from that," he said. The technology that produced the composite photograph of this victim has been used in Massachusetts and across the country to help identify and catch suspects.Detectives want people to keep in mind that the victim in this case may have looked a bit different than the composite photo. Anyone with information about the case is urged to call state police detectives on Cape Cod at 508-790-5799.

A DNA generated photo has finally put a face on a mans torso found in the dunes of Cape Cod almost six years ago.

Investigators hope distribution of the composite photo developed from the mans DNA will help identify the victim and lead them to his killer.

On June 4, 2014, only the torso of the victim was found, wrapped inside layers of plastic and a tarp, and dumped in the dunes of Town Neck Beach in Sandwich.

Last year, 5 Investigates opened the case file on the victim known only as the man in the dunes. We spoke then with State Police Sgt. Matt Lavoie, who is the lead detective.

"The limbs were removed in such a way to hinder identification, probably to get rid of tattoos, Lavoie said. We ran the victim's DNA through the national databases, there were no hits. There wasn't much of a description to work on." With no new leads to follow, detectives turned to the high-tech crime fighting tools of Parabon Labs in Virginia, which used DNA from the torso to create the image of the mans face.

DNA composite of murder victim

The victim is believed to have been between 5-feet, 8-inches and 6-feet tall, 230 pounds with a surgical scar on the right side of his stomach, police said. The torso was found on a blue dolly and was dressed in a T-shirt from Windustrial Supply company in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Until now, investigators had no idea what the victim even looked like and his killer has never been found. It is a critical first step in any murder investigation to identify the victim, Lavoie said.

"We can find out where they were from, what kind of life they led, who they dealt with in their personal life and hopefully try and track down the last people they dealt with, if possible, and maybe get a suspect from that," he said. The technology that produced the composite photograph of this victim has been used in Massachusetts and across the country to help identify and catch suspects.

Detectives want people to keep in mind that the victim in this case may have looked a bit different than the composite photo. Anyone with information about the case is urged to call state police detectives on Cape Cod at 508-790-5799.

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DNA-generated photo gives face to torso found in dunes on Cape Cod beach - WCVB Boston