DNA tested in missing-girl case
(Phoenix) AZ Republic 23Jan99
By Jim Walsh: The Arizona Republic

MESA, ARIZONA - The disappearance of Mikelle Biggs, the eleven-year old Mesa girl, heads into it's fourth week without a break. Mikelle vanished as she waited for an ice cream truck on the evening of January 2. A jeep and its driver had been one of the most promising leads until Thursday when the police cleared the owner. Tips are slow to trickle in. Two-thirds of the 5,000 tips have been eliminated or ruled overly vague.

Authorities are using DNA testing for much of the process of elimination. "We currently have a DNA profile of Mikelle. We are comparing that evidence to other evidence found at the (potential) scenes," said Joyce Lee, supervisory criminalist of the Mesa Police crime lab.

Police are hoping that Mikelle's disappearance will encourage parents to have their children fingerprinted. Photos and videotapes as well as saving hair samples are necessary for successful DNA testing. "Identification of our children is very important," said police spokesman, Detective Jose Martinez. Mikelle's DNA profile could figure prominently in determining the worst possible outcome. If a child is not found after 72 hours, authorities say there is a 95 percent chance the missing child is dead.

Detective Martinez said 50 detectives remain on the case with three Mesa criminalists and two lab technicians aiding the work. A victim's assistance counselor has been assigned to the victim's family and meets with them on a daily basis. Mikelle's father, Michael Darien Biggs, reports the family members are "hoping for the best and preparing for the worst." Detective Martinez confirms, "We're going to find Mikelle Biggs. We know that."