Breakthrough DNA Analysis Solves Cold Case Murder of Florida Nurse After 37 Years

After 37 years, DNA analysis has helped police identify the killer of Teresa Lee Scalf, a Florida nurse who was brutally murdered in her home in 1986. The attack was sexually motivated, and Scalf's neck had been severely cut. Despite no obvious suspects at the time, evidence including blood that did not belong to Scalf was found. The blood sample remained unmatched for over 30 years until a private lab specializing in forensic genetic genealogy narrowed the investigation to Donald Douglas, a man who lived behind Scalf. DNA analysis confirmed that the blood found at the scene belonged to Douglas, who died in 2008. The case is now closed, bringing long-awaited closure to Scalf's family.