Idaho State Police Forensic Services founded and supports the Idaho Cold Case and Advanced DNA Methods (ICCADM) working group. The ICCADM provides steering for the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) program at the Idaho State Police (ISP). ISP has three grants from the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the SAKI granting program to support the work of the ICCADM. The purposes of this team are to 1) ensure all DNA samples mandated by Idaho law are collected and processed, 2) solve cold cases related to violent crime, sexual assault, homicide, and unidentified human remains using advancing forensic science analysis.
ICCADM Team Members
Boise State University Criminal Justice Department
Idaho Chiefs of Police Association
Idaho Coroner’s Association
Idaho Department of Corrections
Idaho Prosecuting Attorney’s Association
Idaho SAKI Grant Site Coordinators
Idaho Sheriff’s Association
Idaho State Police
Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification
Idaho State Police Forensic Services
Idaho Statistical Analysis Center
Idaho Supreme Court
Idaho ViCap Administration
Idaho Women and Children’s Alliance
Rocky Mountain Information Network (RISS Network)
Tribal Representatives
Purpose Area 3 addresses the identification, collection, and DNA profiling of samples from convicted offenders who should have samples in CODIS, but from whom samples have never been collected or submitted to a lab for testing.
Purpose Area #4 addresses sexually motivated cold cases (homicides and sexual assaults) and provides funding for DNA/Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) activities and also for critical and labor intensive investigative activities.
Purpose Area #6 addresses all other violent crime cold cases which are not sexually motivated and provides funding for DNA/Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) activities and also for critical and labor intensive investigative activities.
Mark Denhardt
SAKI Site Coordinator
PA#3
208-846-7582
Mark is a 43-year law enforcement veteran with ISP and the US Department of Homeland Security. He is an Idaho native and a graduate of Boise State University and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.
Daren Boyd
SAKI Site Coordinator
PA#4 & PA#6
208-846-7583
Daren studied at Pacific Lutheran University and worked as a federal agent with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security for over 27 years.
Paul Panther
Special Deputy Attorney General (SDAG)
Paul graduated from Northwest Nazarene University and the University of Washington Law School. He recently retired from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, where he served as Chief of the Criminal Law Division for over 12 years. The Idaho Attorney General appointed Paul to serve as the SAKI DAG.
Detective Jerrie Northrup
District 1 – North Idaho
Jerrie is a University of Idaho graduate, Idaho POST graduate in 1994, retired from Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) in 2023 as the lead Major Crimes Detective and is the Chief Tactical Office for KCSO Regional Air Support Unit.
Detective Vickie Gooch
District 3 – Southern Idaho
Vickie has degrees from Boise State University and the University of Idaho. She has been employed in the Criminal Justice system since 1980 and with ISP as a detective since 1998. In addition, she has taught criminal justice classes for Boise State University and the College of Western Idaho for the past 20 years and has been a part of the Cold Case team since 2020.
Detective Karl Noah
District 5 – East Idaho
Karl graduated from Colorado State University and worked with the Idaho National Laboratory’s Biotechnology Group for 17 years. After transitioning to law enforcement, he served for 24 years, including 19 years with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, where he served primarily as a Detective, Detective Sergeant, and Investigations Lieutenant. Karl retired in 2024.
Investigator Tamara Mick
Intelligence/Genealogy
Tamara has over 18 years of law enforcement experience, specializing in investigating a diverse array of sensitive cases. She also brings experience as an instructor in law enforcement training and holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration.
Cathy Fahey
FIGG Genealogist
Cathy has a degree in Business Administration and worked as a programmer and data analyst for 35 years. She has over ten years of experience in genetic genealogy, specifically adoption and unknown parentage cases. Cathy has a graduate certificate in Forensic Genetic Genealogy from the University of New Haven.
Sherri Coronado
Victim Services Specialist
Sherri is a native of Idaho, raised in Eagle, and graduated from Boise State University. She joined the Boise Police Department and served over 25 years, with her last 12 years dedicated to domestic/sexual violence cases.
Katherine Dace
Idaho FIGG Designated Laboratory Official
DNA Supervisor
Katie has been a forensic DNA analyst for over 16 years and serves as the State CODIS Administrator. She has a BS in Forensic Biology from West Virginia University and has worked in CO, TX, ID, and in support of military operations overseas.
Alexis Kearby
Investigative Assistant/Data Analyst
Alexis Kearby is a Boise State University graduate with experience in data analysis and working with adolescents.
Sunnie Stobbe
SAKI Management Asst
208-884-7158
Matthew Gamette
Laboratory System Director
208-884-7217
Racheal Peterson
Forensics Management Asst
Ashley Tuttle
Forensics Management Asst
Solved Cases with ICCADM Support
Cases where the ICCADM team provided investigative and/or DNA analysis assistance:
Twin Falls County – In September 2014, a kayaker discovered the body of a woman below the Perrine Bridge. The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office actively investigated the case until February 2016, with leads pursued until August 2020, when the case was deemed “inactive” and the death was ruled a suicide. In December 2021, ICCADM reached out to assist, and by April 2022, a genetic genealogy search produced a lead. The woman was identified as Cynthia Gunnerson, and her parents, while grateful for answers, continue to grieve her loss.
Powell – In September 1983, the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) investigated an abandoned camp near White Sand Road but found no identification among the items. In 1984, human skeletal remains were discovered by hunters about a mile from the camp, but despite extensive efforts, the remains remained unidentified.
In November 2020, the IDDADM assisted with forensic genetic genealogy, and by March 2022, investigative leads were provided to ICSO. Investigators contacted a potential sibling in Oklahoma City, who confirmed her brother had disappeared in early 1982. DNA reference samples from family members were provided, resulting in a confirmed familial match.
Jerome – In August 1995, Jerome Police responded to the homicide of an 84-year-old woman. Although three potential suspects were identified, no concrete evidence linked anyone to the crime, and the case eventually went cold. Over the years, detectives continued to review the case and apply new technological advancements.
In June 2022, detectives sought assistance from ICCADM and submitted DNA for analysis. By March 2023, a suspect was identified—the victim’s neighbor with no known personal connection. The suspect had died by suicide about a year before being identified. The victim’s family has been notified, and the case is now closed.
Pocatello – On July 13, 2025, partial skeletal remains were discovered near the Pacific Steel & Recycling trailhead by the Portneuf River. The Pocatello Police Department responded and recovered the remains.
The ICCADM worked with law enforcement and the coroner’s office to identify the remains. While the family has been notified, the identity will not be released due to the ongoing investigation.
LEWISTON – In June 1982, the remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in the Snake River near the mouth of the Grand Ronde River in Nez Perce County, Idaho. Nez Perce County is located in northwest Idaho, bordering the southeast corner of Washington. The Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene where it was determined the remains were that of a white male.
A former Bonner County resident has been arrested for second-degree murder in connection with the 2019 disappearance of Rae Allison Berwanger.
Jordan Jarrad Law, 46, was taken into custody Wednesday in Spokane and charged with second-degree murder of Berwanger. Law was indicted by a Bonner County grand jury the day before on the murder charge as well as on charges of offering false or forged instruments for the record, and destruction of evidence. He was also indicted on two counts of rape in connection with an additional victim discovered during the investigation.