How police collected a suspected killer’s DNA without him knowing | Forensic Files

we developed a profile on mr. Dripps and we started to develop kind of a pattern
on him of what his day was like what his routine was and we were looking for a way to get that biological sample the
plan was to go out and surreptitiously collect his DNA just to verify that we had the right person so send another
detective team this time to Caldwell it was a lot of hours of sitting in your car and just waiting just always on this
edge of your seat waiting for that thing to happen that was gonna you know give us what we needed what we wanted but he
threw a cigarette butt out of the window of his truck by the time the detectors ran out into the road more cars had
driven by and blown the cigarette butt a little bit and there were a whole bunch
of cigarette butts on the ground and we couldn't tell which one belong to who we
thought we had it and like anything its success isn't isn't as great unless you taste a little bit of defeat I think
they had to go back to surveillance mode they watched and followed for about another 24 hours before they got another
crack added another cigarette butt went out a window they were prepared for it this time prepared to get it and make
sure it was the right ones they were able to collect that cigarette but then we sent out back to the state lab and
they confirmed that the biological sample that we've taken surreptitiously from Brian drips was a match for the
biological evidence it was left at the crime scene

After 23 years, Idaho Falls, Idaho, detectives finally had a solid DNA lead in Angie Dodge’s murder case. CeCe Moore and Parabon NanoLabs’ research led them to Brian Dripps. Police just needed to collect his DNA to make certain. They traveled 300 miles to Caldwell, Idaho, and spent upwards of 24 continuous hours following Dripps, patiently waiting for him to toss a cigarette butt so they could test it.

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Brief Summary

Investigators collect DNA from Brian Dripps via a cigarette butt, confirming his connection to a crime scene.

Key points

Collecting DNA Evidence. The team devised a plan to collect Mr. Dripps' DNA to confirm his identity.

Episode quotes

Success isn't as great unless you taste a little bit of defeat.

Reflecting on the challenges faced during the investigation.

0:45WatchNov 10, 2019

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