From 1991 to 2002, there was a series of random sexual assaults in Utah and Wyoming. DNA was left at the scene of 11 attacks. Unfortunately, this DNA didn’t match any identified person in CODIS and eventually, the cases went cold. In 2017, investigators approached Dr. Barbara Rae-Venter to help solve this case through the use of familial DNA. The science had come a long way since 2002, and Dr. Rae-Venter was able to track down family members of the attacker. Ultimately, this led to the arrest of Mark Douglas Burns who admitted to these eleven attacks and three murders for which he had not even been suspected. Mark Douglas Burns was sentenced to 242 years in prison for the attacks alone.   

Come along with Hannah and Lainey as they discuss their favorite Scooby-Doo characters, burglary vs. robbery, and what is a second cousin?

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of rape, sexual assault, and homicide. Listener discretion is advised.

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Sources:

Clearfieldcity. (2019, September 25). Serial rapist arrest. Clearfield City. https://clearfield.city/2019/09/25/serial-rapist-arrest-september-25-2019/

FBI. (n.d.) CODIS. FBI. https://ucr.fbi.gov/fingerprints_biometrics/biometric-center-of-excellence/files/btf_codis_0808_one-pager.pdf

FilmRise. (2021, March 11). The Clearfield rapist [TV broadcast]. Bloodline Detectives. 

KASL Radio. (2019, September 30). Details on investigation into sexual assaults and Mark Douglas Burns. KASL Radio. https://www.kaslradio.com/details-on-investigation-into-sexual-assaults-and-mark-douglas-burns/

Miller Schreifels, J. (2020, April 6). A serial rapist who attacked strangers in Davis County will spend the rest of his life in prison. The Salt Lake Tribune. https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/04/06/serial-rapist-that/

Patton, W. (2020, December 4). Serial killer & rapist lived undercover as working truck driver for 30 years - now awaiting sentencing. CDLLife. https://cdllife.com/2020/serial-killer-rapist-lived-undercover-as-working-truck-driver-for-30-years-now-awaiting-sentencing/

Stauffer, M. (2020, December 7). Serial rapist sentenced to life in prison for 2001 murder of Wyoming woman. KUTV. https://kutv.com/news/local/serial-rapist-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-2001-murder-of-wyoming-woman

Wells, D. (2020, April 6). ‘Clearfield rapist’ Mark Burns sentenced to 242 years to life in prison. Fox13. https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/clearfield-rapist-mark-burns-due-for-sentencing-monday