(Host) The Vermont Crime Laboratory’s DNA lab was dedicated this morning to the memory of Patricia Scoville, who was murdered in Stowe 16 years ago.
She was honored because it was through the work of her parents that Vermont’s DNA database was established.
David and Ann Scoville attended the dedication ceremony this morning at the Statehouse.
Ann Scoville says they lobbied for the databank’s creation so their daughter would be remembered.
(Ann Scoville) “We felt like we did our part by telling Patty’s story. And this is such an honor and I am so humbled.”
(Host) But state officials say they Scovilles did much more. They say the Scovilles’ work helped detectives find and convict the man who raped and killed their daughter.
And state officials say the Scovilles have helped many other families deal with similar tragedies.
Attorney General Bill Sorrell says the couple’s work has helped to prevent crime because police have been able to solve crimes using the database.
(Sorrell) “I don’t think there’s any question but that lives have already been saved as a consequence of your actions. Already.”
(Host) Patricia Scoville had lived in Vermont less than a month when she disappeared in Stowe in October 1991.
Her body was found eight days later. Police recovered a DNA sample. But Vermont was one of only two states at the time that did not have a DNA database to compare the sample against.
Scoville’s parents spent the next several years successfully lobbying for the databank, which helped lead to finding her killer.