Posted on 01/05/2022 4:49:21 PM PST by nickcarraway
The University of Central Oklahoma’s (UCO) W. Roger Webb Forensic Science Institute, in collaboration with the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, is using its nationally ranked expertise to solve a mystery involving one of the nation’s most notorious outlaws.
Through a donation, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum received a purse believed to belong to Bonnie Parker of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde duo, who committed dozens of robberies and burglaries while running from law enforcement between 1932 and 1934.
While the purse, which is stamped with Parker’s name and features what is presumed to be a single bullet hole, is believed to belong to Parker, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum wants to make sure.
“It’s a mystery and we are going to use forensic science to solve that mystery,” said Caitlin Porterfield, instructor of forensic science at UCO. “The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum wanted to verify that it was her purse, so they approached us and asked if there were any forensic science techniques to authenticate this purse. We will try a number of techniques to assist with this process.”
Faculty members from UCO’s FSI conducted DNA tests and fingerprint scans on the purse in hopes of finding indisputable evidence.
Rhonda Williams, associate professor of forensic science at UCO, formerly worked for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and is leading the DNA screening on this project. Williams said since no DNA sample from Parker exists, they will compare DNA from her last known living relative.
“I think it’s very possible to pull DNA off this purse,” Williams said. “The question will be, who’s is it? If we find DNA and we can somehow link it, that’s amazing and the museum can use it for their exhibits.”
Melissa Owens, interim chief curatorial officer and registrar for the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, said the purse was donated to the museum but it didn’t have direct provenance to prove its authenticity.
“We decided to turn to science and contacted UCO, who graciously accepted to help us on this quest,” Owens said. “There are not many items directly associated with either Bonnie or Clyde. If it is Bonnie’s then as a historical piece it’s priceless.”
Regardless of the DNA results, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum plans on displaying the purse in an exhibit about outlaws and lawmen set to open in 2022.
Republished courtesy of UCO. Photo: Rhonda Williams, associate professor of forensic science at the University of Central Oklahoma, conducts a DNA swab test of a purse believed to belong to Bonnie Parker. Credit: UCO.
Ping
Pretty strong meat there from Sam *sniff* Peckinpah!
Any lipstick?
Great movie!
Where is the bullet-riddled car?
Oh Nevada
Think I saw the car in the mid or late 1970s
Last I heard, it was at a Nevada casino, pretty poor condition.
Yeah just saw the pics
Lots of bullet holes.
Whiskey Pete’s in Primm
‘Barrow’s enthusiasm for cars was evident in a letter he wrote earlier in the spring of 1934, addressed to Henry Ford himself: “While I still have got breath in my lungs I will tell you what a dandy car you make. I have drove Fords exclusively when I could get away with one. For sustained speed and freedom from trouble the Ford has got every other car skinned and even if my business hasn’t been strictly legal it don’t hurt anything to tell you what a fine car you got in the V-8.”’
I’m thinking there’s DNA sample contamination from other people touching the bag barehanded.
Bmk
Someone drove it in the Great American Race in the late 70’s if I remember correctly.
BTW, the shirt he was wearing is also on display (or was). Could be some DNA on there. Nice grouping of the shots, considering they were using Thompsons.
don’t try to stick that girl in my family tree! Some things are better unknown.
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