Criminal Profiler on Today's Discovery: "When Will They Listen?"

December 11, 2008

In October, Dr. Maurice Godwin used his Predator computerized system to identify specific areas of interest in the search for Casey Anthony's missing two-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony.

If the remains found today are proven to be Caylee, they could have been found sooner if his analysis of the case had been utilized.

The locations used in his analysis were: Casey Anthony's parent's house, the location where her car was found and a buffer area for cell phone pings at the airport.

Map 1 depicted the search area (anchor point area) showing the Predator computer results and map overlay of the predicted area. Map 2 depicted a more specific search area, highlighted by the light yellow circle. Map 3 depicted the specific area to search.

The profile showed a high probability that Caylee would be found within a 1.5 mile radius (North, South, East and West) from South Goldenrod Road.

"The location where the body was found is near my predicted area," Godwin said in an interview with Investigation Discovery. "If they had used the information I came up with, Caylee would have been found months ago. I have proven time and time again the value of the Predator system. When Will They Listen?"

The remains in question were found early this morning by an Orange County water meter reader who had stepped into the weeds to relieve himself by Chickasaw Trail and Suburban Drive in Orlando. While standing there, the worker observed a plastic trash bag. When he kicked the bag to see what was in it, a small child's skull fell out onto the ground in front of him.

The worker immediately notified police and the area was cordoned off as a crime scene. Sources close to the investigation say that remnants of duct tape were found on both the skull and the trash bag. Those items are now being compared to tape and bags that had previously been collected from the car Casey Anthony was driving at the time of her daughter's disappearance.

According to the sheriff's department, they are expediting DNA tests to confirm whether the remains are that of Caylee Anthony.

Discuss The Caylee Anthony Case

Full Coverage : Casey Anthony Case

Photo Credits: Image 1 and 2: Dr. Maurice Godwin; Caylee Anthony: Associated Press

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Comments

[BeckyM]

From the website, I have yet to see any evidence that the Predator system has a track record of any sort. It would suit the news better to provide facts and not people's emotions on "I was right all along!"

[Diana]

While I respect Dr. Godwin's methods, it's unfair to say that they didn't listen, since Equusearch COULDN'T search the area. David, you even reported this:

"According to a spokesperson for Texas EquuSearch, the area where the remains were found could not be searched during the first search effort because the area was under water. During the second search effort the area was fenced off."

-Edited by David Lohr: I believe Dr. Godwin is upset because LE did not take the report seriously-

[Mary]

What a shame. This little child could have been laid to rest months ago and maybe this family could have found closure sooner. God bless this baby.

[joey takasugi]

it doesn't look like the area where they found caylee is even in his search area. they could have searched every inch of his area and not found her. he even says that the body was found "near" his predicted area.

[Carol]

joey, i think Godwins point is that if they had started in his predicted hot area and worked their way out ** see his other maps ** they would have found her sooner. I looked at them myself and I concur with his assesment.

[Marya]

The problem with this is that the computer program, as with any program, is dependent on the input given based on known factors in an investigation. He didn't get the exact location in this case, and that would probably be based on error introduced with weighting pieces of information. So, he needs to keep publicizing his maps in the media, in other cases, and refining the program to minimize such error. How are investigators supposed to weigh so many different leads? I think that if he can show a proven track record, he can help increase the weight of his program. I haven't seen maps posted for any of the other missing people you have profiled recently...?

It's too easy too look back and blame, rather than looking back and learning from mistakes.

---Edited by David Lohr to add: Dr. Godwin has put together recent geographical profiles in the Morris and Anderson case. I have not published those because the information is considered sensitive.-

[Geo Profile]

In Dr. Godwin’s geographical profile in the Michelle Bullard case he was within 100 yards of where she was found. Michelle’s Mother discussed this in a CNN interview during that time which is posted on Dr. Godwin’s web site. In the Bullard case no one searched his predicted area – a hunter found the victim’s remains a year later.

In the Dru Sjodin case Dr. Godwin’s geographical profile was within mile and did assist searchers in finding her body. The possible land area for searching in the Sjodin case was over 1,000 square miles.

All these cases are mentioned on his web site along with successful cases in serial murder investigations.

[BeckyM]

Also, this area was under water which has been stated several times in emerging news. It's clear that they didn't search as it was impassable.

So let's stop the comments from people running to the media to draw attention back to them.. .the reality is we need a body to increase the chances that Casey is convicted.

Is this a great ending? No, I'm sure the holiday spirit will be sorely lacking in the Anthony household as they have any thread of hope completely burned away by facts even they cannot ignore.

Merry Christmas Casey... I hope you enjoy your trial and all the attention it brings to you as you rot in jail.

[catie]

I wonder if this is the same location that woman stated she saw a girl come out of the woods? Does anyone know?

Also, I noticed a minor point that Lee stated that Casey's clothes were folded nicely when he picked them up from the boyfriend's home and that he was positive someone must've folded her clothes, that she was very untidy, leaving clothes laying around her room or something to that fact. On all of the interviews inside the Anthony home, her room looks almost "staged" and very tidy. I believe the photos of Caylee in her room are going to be used in her defense to show how much she "loved" her...which make me wonder if she removed these photos prior, like she did with her myspace...or if she added them later. I found that ironic.

I also read months ago somewhere that Zenaida's home or car was broken into and her driver's license was stolen. I haven't heard anything since. Maybe this was inaccurate info considering the source was somewhere on the Web...but I'm curious, has anyone else heard about this?

Also, my heart goes out to the Anthony family. Your grandchild captured the hearts of so many across the world, and she will never be forgotten. My prayers are with them all. God will never give us more than we can handle. I believe the Anthony family, as strong as they are, simply couldn't handle anymore of not knowing. They have my support, regardless of what others may say, it is evident they are simply grieving relatives deterring the press from something they may never come to terms with.

[Jenni]

impressive results.

[Candace]

OK....does this man not know there was a Hurricane that flooded the area???? Sure he was correct on the location....but sometimes nature has a force to be reckoned with!

[Suzan]

I pinpointed this area in 'August', water..and availability of time work against search efforts sometimes... she was found, that is what is important. :)

[mnm]

This area was underwater for most of the time and I'd rather have this evidence come up on its own six months later than come out in a short amount of time with evidence severly compromised due to being trampled or misplaced by volunteers.

[Silver]

Just Monday morning quarterbacking. So, what is the use of searching then if you're not trying to find a body every day that you search. It would have better to left little Caylee's body in the dirt/mud for all those months if you could have found her earlier. I don't think so.

[windy eberly]

wow, if i was looking for a body, i'd definately come to you. doesn't it seem like casey tried to stage a kidnapping/murder? i wonder if there is anything to the stolen license of ms. gonzales. maybe someone was trying to frame her. i wonder if casey had joked to someone about her zanny nanny, and then decided to cover that with the name of a real person, and somehow ended up concocting this whole half-baked story from there. did she know of a zenaida? it's all so curious. i don't much think she will ever tell the truth, especially if her daughter was ever exposed to any kind of sexual exploitation, but i suspect the death must have been accidental, and somehow caused through neglect.