Parabon's Snapshot™ DNA Phenotyping Service Helps Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Redirect Investigation into Sierra Bouzigard's Cold Case

Sept. 9, 2015
CPSO Sheriff Tony Mancuso releases Snapshot™ composite in press conference on September 1, 2015.

Sierra Bouzigard, age 19

Reston, Va. (September 2015) - Parabon NanoLabs, Inc.(Parabon) was credited with redirecting the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office's investigation of the 2009 brutal murder of then 19-year old Sierra Bouzigard in Moss Bluff, Louisiana, during a televised press conference on KPLC 7 News, held September 1, 2015. Sheriff Tony Mancuso informed the media that since the murder, investigators had focused on the Hispanic community based upon information of her whereabouts and who she was with just prior to her death. The Snapshot™ composite, produced from a DNA sample taken from the crime scene, depicts a white male with green or possibly blue eyes and brown or black hair.

"We are excited about this result," Sheriff Mancuso told the media. "This totally redirects our whole investigation and will move this case in a new direction."

In November of 2009, the 19-year old was found bludgeoned to death on the side of John Koonce Road in Moss Bluff, Louisiana. DNA found at the scene was run through CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, used by law enforcement to secure a match with a known suspect. Over 20 suspects within the Hispanic community were interviewed and had DNA samples tested. No matches were found, but investigators continued to focus on individuals and locations where she was last seen.

"This is a very exciting time for us in law enforcement," Sheriff Mancuso continued, "It 
(Snapshot™) gives us a little more hope to solve crimes like this."

Snapshot™ accurately predicts the physical appearance and ancestry of a DNA source. Unlike traditional DNA profiling, which treats DNA like a fingerprint for identity matching, Snapshot uses DNA as a genetic blueprint from which physical traits can be deciphered. Parabon recently announced a new suite of forensic capabilities that will provide investigators with age progression, accessorization and facial reconstruction to produce an accurate composite image of the source. Sheriff Mancuso told the media that investigators may use the new Snapshot™ age progression capability in the Bouzigard case if no immediate leads were generated from the initial Snapshot composite, which shows the subject at 25 years of age.

Those with information in the case are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 1 (337) 491-3605 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (337) 439-2222. To see the complete CSPS press conference visit KPLC 7 News.

About Parabon NanoLabs, Inc.:

Parabon NanoLabs is a vertically integrated DNA technology company that develops next-generation forensic and therapeutic products, which leverage the enormous power of DNA. Staffed by a uniquely qualified team of scientists and technologists, with expertise ranging from bioinformatics and chemistry to computer science and pharmacology, Parabon is bringing to market revolutionary new products and services made possible by recent advances in DNA sequencing, analysis and manufacturing technologies. Based in Reston, Virginia, Parabon is privately held and has received mentoring and investment support from the Center for Innovative Technology, an economic development center that assists innovative technology companies in Virginia.

Sponsored Recommendations

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!

Request More Information

By clicking above, I acknowledge and agree to Endeavor Business Media’s Terms of Service and to Endeavor Business Media's use of my contact information to communicate with me about offerings by Endeavor, its brands, affiliates and/or third-party partners, consistent with Endeavor's Privacy Policy. In addition, I understand that my personal information will be shared with any sponsor(s) of the resource, so they can contact me directly about their products or services. Please refer to the privacy policies of such sponsor(s) for more details on how your information will be used by them. You may unsubscribe at any time.