4-year old CHILD HOMICIDE VICTIM from 1972 identified with 2 mm hairS

In collaboration with Fairfax County Police Department and other dedicated partners, Astrea Forensics helped identify 4-year-old Carl Matthew Bryant, who had remained unidentified since 1972. Using a few millimeters of rootless hair collected during the original autopsy and advanced forensic methods, our lab developed a DNA profile that led to this long-awaited breakthrough.

This case was initially funded as part of a grant initiative, which allowed Astrea to offer no-cost services to law enforcement and nonprofit organizations working cold cases.

➡️ Watch the full press conference on YouTube

📄 Read the official Fairfax County press release

We’re proud to support collaborative investigations like this one—where even a few millimeters of degraded hair can help return a name and restore truth.