In 2007, Dr. James Bailey and Dr. Kathleen Blue of Minnesota State University contacted NHS about doing a forensic investigation into the alleged Charlie Pitts skeleton that was in the NHS collection. Blue and Bailey presented their findings today at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Denver Colorado. The findings ruled out the skeleton belonged to Charlie Pitts. The carbon 14 testing conducted on the skeleton indicated that the the person probably lived before 1800, there is a 2.5 percent chance that he lived after 1800. The research also indicated that the skeleton is that of male between the ages of 35-40. A Canadian Forensic Artist, Victoria Lywood contributed to the investigation by developing a 2-D and 
3-D facial reconstruction of the skeleton's skull.
DNA was also taken from one of the teeth and from a leg bone of the skeleton. In doing research Blue and Bailey found two direct relatives of Charlie Pitts who donated DNA for comparison. The DNA did not match either relative.
I will post more information on the investigation early next week.
All of the photographs are courtesy Kathleen Blue, James Bailey and Victoria Lywood.
Follow the links for articles on the investigation
Update 2-20-09
The Pioneer Press has published an article on the skeleton.
Update 2-23-09
KYMN and the Mankato Free Press has posted updated stories on the skeleton
