LITTLE ROCK, AR — Crews back at Petit Jean State Park today after some skeletal remains of Little Rock businessman John Glasgow were found late last week. Glasgow had been missing since 2008.
Two dozen park rangers and members of other state agencies searched rugged terrain inside the park. They’ll be back early tomorrow morning.
At this point, the cause of Glasgow’s death has not been determined. But, scientists at the Arkansas State Crime Lab are working to find out those answers.
Kermit Chanell, the State Crime Lab’s Executive Director, said, “Oh absolutely it becomes very difficult, especially a case like this.”
After a body spends years — in the elements — autopsies and toxicology tests are impossible and DNA evidence is typically gone. So scientists must rely on other things.
Chanell said, “We just have to wait and see on whatever information and evidence that law enforcement might submit to us that might help to answer some of those questions.”
Partial remains — from Glasgow’s body — have been handed over to the state crime lab. Detectives say there’s no visible trauma to the skull that was recovered but scientists will do x-rays which can sometimes spot what the human eye can not.
Chanell said, “We need to make sure we’re doing an appropriate job here with the technology we have.”
Locating additional remains and articles of clothing could also help scientists understand how Glasgow died, but there’s no guarantee that will happen.
Chanell said, “It’s not uncommon to have cases like this where you don’t find everything, for it is spread out over a large field.”
The state crime lab also identified Glasgow’s body. This was done in under 24 hours because family members quickly provided dental records needed to make a positive ID from remains.
If you would like to follow Melissa Schroeder’s reports on Facebook, you can click here and like her page.
Two dozen park rangers and members of other state agencies searched rugged terrain inside the park. They’ll be back early tomorrow morning.
At this point, the cause of Glasgow’s death has not been determined. But, scientists at the Arkansas State Crime Lab are working to find out those answers.
Kermit Chanell, the State Crime Lab’s Executive Director, said, “Oh absolutely it becomes very difficult, especially a case like this.”
After a body spends years — in the elements — autopsies and toxicology tests are impossible and DNA evidence is typically gone. So scientists must rely on other things.
Chanell said, “We just have to wait and see on whatever information and evidence that law enforcement might submit to us that might help to answer some of those questions.”
Partial remains — from Glasgow’s body — have been handed over to the state crime lab. Detectives say there’s no visible trauma to the skull that was recovered but scientists will do x-rays which can sometimes spot what the human eye can not.
Chanell said, “We need to make sure we’re doing an appropriate job here with the technology we have.”
Locating additional remains and articles of clothing could also help scientists understand how Glasgow died, but there’s no guarantee that will happen.
Chanell said, “It’s not uncommon to have cases like this where you don’t find everything, for it is spread out over a large field.”
The state crime lab also identified Glasgow’s body. This was done in under 24 hours because family members quickly provided dental records needed to make a positive ID from remains.
If you would like to follow Melissa Schroeder’s reports on Facebook, you can click here and like her page.