Bristol cold case closed thanks to victim ID through DNA

CONCORD — Investigators have identified the remains of a deceased man discovered in Bristol, bringing resolution to a nearly 40-year-old mystery. 

The New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, in collaboration with State Police and their investigative partners at the DNA Doe Project and the University of New Hampshire Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery Lab, identified the Bristol remains discovered four decades ago, Attorney General John Formella and NHSP Colonel Mark Hall shared in a media release on Thursday. 

A human skull was located in a wooded area of Bristol in 1986 and, despite investigative efforts at the time, remained unidentified. Then last year, the medical examiner's office, with the assistance of State Police and the UNH forensic lab, partnered with the DNA Doe Project to apply advanced forensic genetic genealogy techniques to the case. The remains were identified as Warren Kuchinsky, born in 1952, last known to be alive in the mid-1970s. 

“The New Hampshire Department of Justice and the New Hampshire State Police remain committed to pursuing appropriate scientific and investigative tools to resolve unidentified remains cases and provide answers to families whenever possible" the release reads, in part.  

Kuchinsky’s identity was confirmed through DNA testing of a surviving family member. There’s no evidence of foul play in his death, according to the release.

“This identification reflects the power of partnership and scientific advancement,” Formella wrote in a release. “The dedication of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the investigative support of the New Hampshire State Police, and the extraordinary work of the DNA Doe Project have restored a name to an individual who had been unidentified for nearly 40 years. We are grateful for their professionalism and commitment.” 

The DNA DOE Project is a nonprofit organization which uses investigative genetic genealogy to help identify human remains. They work in partnership with law enforcement, medical examiners and volunteer genealogists to analyze DNA profiles and build family trees using publicly available genetic databases and historical records. They’ve assisted in resolving numerous cold cases across the country. 

“We are honored to have partnered with the State of New Hampshire on this case,” DNA Doe Project Team Leader Lisa Ivany wrote in the release. “Through the power of investigative genetic genealogy and the dedication of our volunteer genealogists, we were able to develop a critical lead in less than 24 hours. We truly hope that this identification brings long-awaited answers to Mr. Kuchinsky’s family.”

For more information about the identification, visit dnadoeproject.org/case/new-hampshire-cranium-1987.