Opinion

Social deviants left strand-ed

D.N.A. testing leads to arrest of two different degenerates

By Mike Melochick

Posted on March 21, 2005, at 12:00 a.m.

Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is simply the building block of life. We are taught this at a young age in elementary and middle school. We are reminded of it when we take chemistry and anatomy in high school and college. This simple double helix is the reason why we exist. This little genetic gem has also been making headlines as of late.

From the early ’70s to just weeks ago, Wichita residents lived in fear of an unidentifed serial killer known to the world as “The BTK Killer.” This monster would bind, torture and kill his victims, including families and young women. He would leave his literal mark on the crime scene by leaving deposits of semen at the grisly sites. This vile calling card, coupled with the violent, masochistic killings was the bane of Wichita police for nearly three decades.

About a month ago on Feb. 26, 59-year-old Dennis Radar, was arrested and charged with 10 counts of homicide as the dreaded BTK Killer. Radar, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former U.S. census taker, is awaiting arraignment on the murder charges brought against him by the state of Kansas.

How did Wichita detectives solve a “cold case,” which had no alleged victims since 1986? It would seem Radar’s grotesque genetic trademark would catch up with him as technolgical advances gave investigators more insight into the identity of the killer, including accessing DNA currently on file. Radar’s own daughter suspected him, and ultimately implicated him as a potential suspect in the killings.

Residents of this quiet Midwestern locale, voted three times an “All-American City” can rest, assured that their loved ones will not be maimed, tortured or killed by the heinous BTK Killer, thanks to the modern-day genetic finger print of DNA.

Another case involving a use of male ejaculate involves an ex-dentist in North Carolina. Dr. John Hall who faces multiple assault charges following allegations that he injected semen into the mouths of at least six female patients via syringes, while the patients were under anesthesia.

This should be a general concern anyone who has ever visited a dentist. Not that your orthodontist may have violated you while you were unconcious, but the thought of someone in that position doing something so grossly inappropriate is perturbing.

Naturally, Dr. Hall denies the allegations. However, initial tests conclude that his DNA matches that of the semen found in the syringes in question. Talk about leaving a bad taste in your mouth.

In all seriousness, the fact that two individuals could do such vulgar deeds with what is intended to be a procreative substance is outlandish beyond belief. Science is catching up with crime. One may argue that injecting semen into someone’s mouth is not on the same plain as torturing and murdering someone, but the fact of the matter is that these men are guilty of violating societal norms with lewd and repulsive behavior. Moreover, the chance of either man being caught and tried without concrete, substantial evidence – such as DNA – would have been unlikely and improbable.

Both men will pay the price for penance for their respective perversions due to sperm samples and ultimately DNA testing. Now, that’s what I consider a “money shot.”

Mike Melochick is a senior journalism major who proudly keeps his DNA safe – by not getting any action.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 21st, 2005, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.