On August 5th, 1979, a horseback rider discovered the remains of an individual in a grassy area along Old Dundee Road in Barrington Hills. Barrington Hills officers arrived and located the partially charred torso of a white male victim. The legs had been severed and found near the victim; the victim’s head and arms were never located.
Crime Scene Investigators at the time determined the homicide occurred at a different location than where the victim was found. With no identifying characteristics available, the identity of the man could not be established. Despite the efforts of investigators, the case went cold, and the man was classified as “John Doe”.
In 2023, the Barrington Hills Police Department teamed with Othram, a laboratory located in Texas that specializes in testing forensic DNA evidence and forensic genetic genealogy, to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to finally identify this homicide victim.
A comprehensive DNA profile using Forensic Grade Genome Sequencing® (FGGS) was used in a forensic genetic genealogy search, which led to the identification of the victim as Joseph A. Caliva, 27 years old at the time of his murder.
A DNASolves Crowdfund was established and fully funded through generous donations to cover the costs incurred for the FGGS casework.
Anyone with information that could assist in this investigation is encouraged to contact Barrington Hills Police Department Investigations, referencing case number 1979-2050.