Othram Labs Solved Thirteen Georgia Cold Cases

Advanced genealogical DNA analysis helped identify suspects in numerous long-standing criminal investigations across Georgia.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Life Sciences

Bold flat-color editorial illustration in navy, cream, and deep red, showing an abstract building and pine silhouette, symbolizing forensic investigative progress. — Othram Labs has resolved 13 cold cases in Georgia by applying advanced genealogical DNA analysis to investigations where traditional forensic methods were previously unsuccessful. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local law enforcement agencies use private companies to help solve cold cases?

Othram Labs has successfully resolved 13 cold cases in Georgia by utilizing advanced familial DNA analysis. This technology provides an alternative to traditional forensic methods that struggle to identify suspects not already in federal databases.

Why it matters

Traditional forensic testing using 20 markers often fails to identify individuals missing from the FBI database, creating significant hurdles in decades-old investigations. The use of genealogical databases allows investigators to find biological relatives and bridge these critical forensic gaps.

Othram Labs generates profiles using hundreds of thousands of DNA markers, a significant upgrade over the 20 markers used in traditional forensic testing. Each case costs between $5,000 and $7,000 to process.

The players

Othram Labs

A forensic laboratory based in Woodlands, Texas, that specializes in genealogical DNA analysis for criminal investigations.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

The state agency responsible for overseeing criminal investigations and the processing of cold case evidence.

Karima Jiwani

The individual charged with attempted murder, cruelty to children, aggravated assault, and reckless abandonment in connection to the Baby India case.

The details

The technology was instrumental in the Baby India case, where a newborn was found alive in Cumming in 2019, leading to charges against Karima Jiwani for attempted murder and other crimes. The investigative success follows funding from the Georgia legislature and governor's office for a dedicated cold case unit.

Cold case records in Georgia date back to 1980.
A newborn was discovered in Cumming on June 6, 2019.

Deeper Dive

The increased resolution of cold cases aligns with the legislative intent of the Coleman Baker Act, which enables families to seek further reviews of dormant homicide cases.

The application of this technology means that thousands of families with unsolved cases may finally see progress in investigations that were previously considered stagnant. This shift could lead to more frequent breakthroughs in long-running criminal matters across the state.

The takeaway

The success of genealogical DNA profiling demonstrates that modern genomic technology can revive investigations once thought impossible to solve. These results encourage local authorities to continue funding efforts that utilize private-sector laboratory resources for public justice.