A Mississippi evidence clerk and crime scene technician was recognized by her department for her relentless pursuit of identifying a body found in 1985.

“We want to express our utmost appreciation to our Evidence Clerk and Crime Scene Technician Amber Edlin,” Sheriff Thomas Tuggle said. “Edlin’s relentless dedication led to the identification of Jane Doe, a white female found strangled on Highway 78 in Olive Branch on January 24, 1985.

“Despite facing dead ends, Edlin persisted, leveraging her extensive network connections. Through cutting-edge DNA analysis, we’ve finally uncovered the victim’s identity, bringing hope for closure to this enduring mystery.

“We firmly believe that justice knows no time constraints. Thus, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of the perpetrators to ensure they face accountability for their actions.”

“Edlin’s tireless efforts to identify Jane Doe have finally borne fruit. Edlin pursued every lead exhaustively until DNA analysis disproved them. On Friday, March 1, 2024, Othram, based in Houston, Tex., utilized groundbreaking technological advancements to aid law enforcement agencies worldwide, including us, in processing and testing forensic DNA evidence in cold cases. That evening, Othram confirmed to Edlin that Jane Doe was indeed Lori Ann Mealer Pennell, with an unprecedented 1,000% confirmation.

“Edlin’s professionalism and collaboration have set the gold standard in law enforcement. The profound impact of her efforts cannot be overstated. We commend and salute her remarkable contributions!”