Hi -
I found this site after reading of this case. It's very strange.
Does anyone know if they ever gave the chemical composition of the cyanide? Cyanide is generally consumed as a cyanide salt, such as potassium cyanide, which is famous for being the type used by Adolf Hitler and some other note worthy persons to commit suicide. However, there are other compounds that could also be used - sodium cyanide, for example. Assuming there was even a tiny residue left, they should have been able to get a good analysis of exactly what it was chemically. Additionally, I'd be interested to see a report of the analysis and any impurities or trace elements found in the cyanide.
It occurs to me that there are a number of scientific tests that could tell a great deal about this woman, possibly revealing her identity.
Genetic testing: The obvious limitation here is that there's nothing to compare her to, but that's not necessarily the only thing that can be gained from genetic testing. For one thing, her ethnic heritage could likely be determined and there is even the possibility that it could be narrowed signifficantly. There are distinct genetic combination that are known to come from areas as narrow as southern Ireland or North Eastern France.
Mitochondrial DNA would also give the possibility of narrowing down relationships. It is inherited from the mother and there are a finite number of lineages. Over many generations it can change due to mutations, but these mutations occur at a predictable rate.
There are databases of DNA for criminals, military personal, missing persons etc. Obviously she would not be in any of these, but a close match could indicate a relative. Even a very partial match could indicate a distant relative or cousin. If, for example, a search found that of those who match closely, 75% had the same last name and came from the same region of the country, that would give at least a place to start as that likely indicates the family.
The second possibility: Isotopic analysis
Analysis of stable isotopes in human remains can determine the location where a person likely lived, their lifestyle, their diet and numerous other things. Isotopic fingerprints are extremely precise and vary depending on things like where a person gets the majority of their calories, the nature of the water they usually drink and other things.
Analysis of hair oxygen and hydrogen isotopes (only a two of the numerous elements that can be analyzed) can determine the area a person came from by the composition of the local water:
http://www.physorg.com/news123180241.html
http://dundee.academia.edu/WolframM...-identification-of-a-mutilated-murder-victim-
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16529892
Radioactive isotopes can potentially give a more acurate age. Between 1946 and 1962, the US and Soviet Union tested numerous nuclear weapons in the earth's atmosphere. Someone who was a young child in the late 1950's would be expected to have higher than average amounts of certain isotopes in their teeth and bones. This was the peak of testing. From then the numbers dropped as the fallout settled out of the atmosphere.
Trace element analysis can also reveal things: Did she grow up somewhere that flouridated the drinking water? Did she eat very much sea food?
Another question Wasn't there any detectable residue on her? in her? (lungs, nasal passages) or on her clothing? her baggage? It's hard to imagine there wasn't any soil, any dust, any material from the local enviornment she came from. If so, what was it? What was any soil or geological dust? If so, what was it? Silica? Alumina? Was there any barium?
Finally, I had some observations.
I find the manner she wrote the note in interesting:
"To whom it may concern: I have decided to end my life and no one is responsible for my death. Mary Anderson.
"P.S. I have no relatives. You can use my body as you choose."
Why "Use my body?" I'd think that the natural thing to say is "Dispose of my body" or even "Do with my body as you choose"
I don't think the average person would normally think of the fact that human bodies have uses. They do, of course. They are used as cadavers for medical schools or other training. They may be used to harvest tissue from or something like that. She seems to have thought of this right away. This leads me to think she likely had some kind of research or scientific job. That's supported by her access to chemicals. She may have worked at a university or something.
Also, I would bet she was not reported missing right away. I would bet she left her life as she left her body - neat and with all the lose ends tied up. She probably left her home very clean and tidy, bed made, everything locked up and affairs in order. She may have sent a letter of resignation to her employer and told her neighbors and anyone else she knew she was going to be away for some time or that she was moving. She may have even canceled all her subscriptions, prepaid her taxes for the year, told her doctor she did not want to be called when it was time for an annual appointment, stopped her mail and things like that. If she did, it would have been some time before anyone realized that it was odd that she was not around. She may have never even been reported missing. Just a lot of people who remember she said she was going away and strangely, that was the last they heard.
Of course, that's just an assumption.
