Bucks County Detectives partnered with Othram Inc., a private forensic DNA laboratory based in Texas, to identify the skull found in 1986 on the banks of the Delaware River in Morrisville, Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub announced on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.
Using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® and forensic genetic genealogy, the investigation concluded that the skull belonged to Richard Thomas Alt who was 31 years old when he was reported missing to the Trenton Police Department in early 1985. He was last seen on Christmas Eve 1984 by his parents.
“I can’t even imagine wondering and worrying about a lost family member for even a day, let alone for 37 years. That wait is now over for Mr. Alt’s family,” District Attorney Weintraub said. “I’m just glad that we could give them some peace of mind with this identification, and the eventual return of his remains to his family.”
“This would not have been possible but for the technical expertise that Othram provided to us, for free,” Weintraub said. “I hope that this powerful combination of technology and genealogy becomes the template for solving cold and current cases now and in the future.”