YCSO 2011 CASE ID SOLVED BY FORENSIC GENETIC GENEALOGY

Published on February 06, 2024

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is happy to announce another success story utilizing Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG).

David Emil Jacobsen has been identified as the male body found in August 2011 in the Beaver Creek area. When found, he had no identification, which hampered YCSO’s investigation. Many years passed while hoping for a match through NamUs or the Cogent Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

In early 2023, YCSO was approached by Ramapo College in New Jersey for cases suitable for Forensic Genetic Genealogy. The college had recently started an Investigative Genetic Genealogy Certificate Program. Any case work performed by Ramapo would be free to our agency. This case was one of several selected, and YCSO could not be more pleased with the work of Ramapo College and their results. Mr. Jacobsen’s identity was confirmed by Yavapai County Medical Examiner’s Office through MtDNA comparison. Mr. Jacobson died of natural causes due to heart complications.

The Jacobsen family is very grateful to everyone for their efforts to bring closure to this 13-year painful experience. YCSO appreciates the efforts of Ramapo College and their students’ diligent work in this endeavor. We hope to partner with them on other cases in the future.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s office at 928-771-3260.