Sheriff’s office turns to crowdfunding to cover DNA testing on human foot found in Port Angeles

CLALLAM COUNTY, Wash. — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has turned to crowdfunding to cover the costs of DNA testing that could help identify a human foot that was discovered on a beach.

In December 2021, a woman’s New Balance size 8 shoe containing a human foot was found near the mouth of the Elwha River in Port Angeles.

With the limited recovery of the woman’s remains, investigators have been unable to determine much about the woman and have exhausted leads about her identity.

In 2022, the sheriff’s office looked to the forensic DNA laboratory Othram to determine if advanced testing could help establish the identity of the woman or a close relative.

To cover the costs, investigators set up a crowdfunding account.

While it may seem unusual, the method used to raise money on platforms like GoFundMe is also being used to help police solve crimes.

The account being used by the sheriff’s office is with DNASolves, which specifically focuses on human identification investigations by law enforcement.

It combines crowdfunding, volunteered data, and genomics to help police solve violent crimes, such as homicides and sexual assaults, according to the company.

Those who wish to donate to the Port Angeles case can follow this link.

Anyone with information that may help the investigation is asked to call the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 360-417-2540 and reference a case #2021-00023819.

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