Idaho Falls Police release DNA phenotype of Angie Dodge’s murderer

Idaho Falls Police released a DNA phenotype of Angie Dodge’s suspected killer Wednesday morning. The phenotype includes an approximated rendering of the man’s face generating details based off of DNA collected from the scene of Angie Dodge’s murder.

“The Idaho Falls Police Department has spent more time and money investigating this case than any other case in the history of this department,” Chief Mark McBride, the Idaho Falls police department chief said.

Investigators, with the help of DNA phenotyping, came up with two images to predict who Angie Dodge’s killer was. One of a 25-year-old man and a second, aged photo of that man at 40-years-old. KIFI/KIDK spoke with Christopher Tapp, and he hopes this snapshot will keep the investigation moving forward.

“Any direction it can go is great — as long as they push forward. That’s the biggest thing is now they don’t have a reason not push forward. For the last twenty years, the Idaho Falls police department and the community — to a certain degree — said well I was incarcerated and that’s all we needed. Now that I’ve been released, now they don’t know what to do. So now it’s going to be pushed in a direction that needs to be pushed,” Tapp said.

There are thousands of people that may look like the snapshot. KIFI/KIDK was told this is just for exclusion purposes — for the Idaho Falls Police Department to narrow down their suspect list.

“We know from experience at other agencies, that when they put these out that they get a lot of phone tips to follow up on. So we’re prepared — that’s why we partnered with Channel Blend — to be able to receive these tips so we can follow up on them. So that’s the next step that we’re at,” McBride said.

The photo’s hair color and weight may not be accurate, but the focus is set on facial features and eye color. The DNA phenotype and the age-enhancement have good expectations in getting investigators new leads.

“We’ve done lots and lots of testing to show that those predictions do resemble the people the DNA found. The point is there may be traits that are extremely unlikely. And as you can exclude people based on that focus that investigation to those people that are more likely to match,” Dr. Ellen Greytak, director of Bioinformatics at Parabon Nanolabs, said.

We have attached the images above and below.

The IFPD is also collaborating with Channel Blend of Idaho Falls to create a 24‐hour tipline to receive information and tips from the public. The number is 1‐800‐927‐1239. Callers may leave a name and a number for a callback from detectives, or they can leave an anonymous tip that will be recorded. All tips and information provided will be reviewed and followed‐up by detectives.

Idaho Falls Police also released a condensed timeline of the Angie Dodge murder case to date. You find it attached as a PDF file below.

The following is the full press release from the Idaho Falls Police on the phenotype:

The Idaho Falls Police Department began investigating the horrific murder of 18‐year‐ old Angie Dodge on June 13, 1996. After more than 20 years, the IFPD continues to be committed to solving the homicide that victimized the Dodge Family and the citizens of Idaho Falls.

“The Idaho Falls Police Department has spent more time and money investigating this crime than any other crime in the history of this department,” Idaho Falls Police Chief Mark McBride said. “But the resources directed to this case are quintessential to solving it, and we are determined to bring a resolution to this heinous crime. We owe it to the Dodge family and our citizens and therefore, this case will remain as high of a priority as it has been since 1996.”

The crime scene and evidence collected at the scene, including the collection and extraction of one major and two minor DNA profiles, indicates that there was more than one individual involved in the death of Angie Dodge. With current technologies, the major profile collected is the only viable DNA sample that can be used to make an identification.

Unfortunately, the major DNA profile from whom we believe to be the primary offender has remained unknown. This is despite efforts by investigators and utilization of technologies and databases, such as the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP), designed to make an identification.

The IFPD has spent thousands of hours and resources each year since 1996 tracking down tips and leads; collecting and analyzing evidence; conducting research; and collaborating with multiple agencies, consultants, and companies in an effort to identify the primary offender.

In the last four years alone, the IFPD has invested more than $43,000 in evidence extraction and analysis, DNA profiling, and travel to follow up on leads. This does not include the staff time and wages. Investigators assigned to this case have also worked weekends, holidays, and vacation time to follow‐up on leads, make contacts and research into new investigative tools, techniques and technology.

Throughout this investigation, the IFPD has received assistance from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, West Jordan Police Department, the Idaho State Crime Lab, Bode and Sorensen crime labs; forensic genealogists, the Innocence Project, Ancestry Public Database, Idaho Attorney General Office, FBI, Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office, East Idaho Cold Cases, the Dodge family and the Usry Family.

We are grateful for this assistance, particularly from Carol Dodge and her family. We have great empathy for the Dodge family and truly want to find justice for Angie Dodge.

Today, we are pleased to announce our recent collaboration with Parabon Nanolabs and Channel Blend as we reveal and begin dissemination of a DNA Phenotype Snapshot.

Parabon Nanolabs, a Virginia‐based DNA Technology company introduced to the IFPD at a Chiefs of Police Conference, has created a sketch of our unknown killer from the DNA’s genetic instruction and make‐up to predict physical appearance, including eye color, hair color, skin color and face shape.

The IFPD is also collaborating with Channel Blend of Idaho Falls to create a 24‐hour tipline to receive information and tips from the public. The number is 1‐800‐927‐1239. Callers may leave a name and a number for a callback from detectives, or they can leave an anonymous tip that will be recorded. All tips and information provided will be reviewed and followed‐up by detectives.

“This is a testament of our commitment and desire to utilize available and cutting‐edge technologies to finding our killer,” McBride said. “We are hopeful and excited this new phenotype sketch will help us garner new leads into the Dodge homicide.”