Nearly 50 years after the murder of Jeanette Ralston in California, advances in forensic science have led to the arrest of Willie Eugene Sims, 69, in Ohio. Ralston was found dead in her car in 1977, and evidence suggested she had been strangled and assaulted. A thumbprint on a cigarette carton linked Sims to the crime through an updated FBI system. DNA evidence from Ralston's fingernails matched Sims, resulting in his arrest and extradition to California to face murder charges, highlighting the power of forensic evidence in cold cases.
"Every day, forensic science grows better, and every day, criminals are closer to being caught. Cases may grow old and be forgotten by the public. We don't forget and we don't give up."
"A thumbprint found on Ralston's cigarette carton in her car was found to match Sims's last fall after law enforcement had asked to run the print through the FBI's updated system."
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