Aug 31, 2008 9:46 pm US/Pacific
FBI: 'Open Investigation' Into Zodiac Suspect
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
The FBI collected more evidence this weekend in an attempt to establish a DNA link between Jack Tarrance and the Zodiac Killer.
Dennis Kaufman, Tarrance's stepson, turned over the black hood he claims to have recently discovered. He believes it is the same hood the Zodiac Killer wore when he stabbed Bryan Hartnell and murdered Cecelia Shepard, a couple picnicking at Lake Berryessa.
Most of Kaufman's adult life has been dedicated to one thing: proving his stepfather, Tarrance, is the Zodiac Killer. CBS13 brought you
his story last week, and the FBI confirms that they are working on an "open investigation" to find a connection to the infamous Bay Area murders.
"Jack wanted me to know who he was, that's why he gave me all these hints," Kaufman said, "but he didn't want me to know until after he was dead."
The FBI is facing a major challenge in their investigation: Jack Tarrance died in 2006 and was cremated. Investigators are attempting to build a DNA profile using old letters sent to Kaufman.
"On the envelopes and letters, especially on the envelopes, you would be looking for saliva," said Bob Jarzen, the man who runs the Sacramento County Crime Lab and has 33 years in forensic science experience.
Jarzen said there are three possible results from a DNA comparison to the Zodiac Killer. It could eliminate Jack Tarrance as a suspect, come back inconclusive if there is not enough DNA or a problem with the DNA on the envelopes, or the results could point to Jack Tarrance as a possible suspect.
It would not conclude 100 percent if he is the Zodiac Killer.
There is no complete DNA profile of the Zodiac Killer for comparison. San Francisco authorities developed only a partial DNA profile taken from postage stamps.
Scientific tests may be able to determine if the black hood is authentic, but Jarzen warns that it will not be easy.
"The dark color and the color of the blood blends in so well," he said. Jarzen demonstrated on a black article of clothing how difficult it is to find DNA on dark material.
But he said that it may be possible to locate usable DNA, even 40 years later.
"You are going to have to go over inside and outside," Jarzen said. "Presumably, if he's wearing it over his head, you may have saliva transferred, and if he's stabbing there's blood being spattered. There is potential for blood on the outside."
The Zodiac Killer's true identity has never been proven. Jack Tarrance knew his stepson believed he was the Zodiac Killer long before he died, and now it will be up to science to prove or disprove whether he was a sadistic man who enjoyed the comparison, or if he is the true monster behind the mask.
"I know the DNA will match because I know who Jack is," Kaufman said. "I'm not worried."
The FBI expects to have the results of the DNA test any day, but since the case is an active investigation, they may not release the results immediately.
You can hear more from Bob Jarzen, the forensic expert, in the video player to the right or by the links below:
What's a simple way to explain what a DNA profile is? What type of evidence will the FBI be looking for on the hood? Can DNA survive 40 years? If worn during an attack, would there have to be evidence on the hood?
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