DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

[mingwan0]

Here is a small article from The Mirror (a UK tabloid) from yesterday. This provides a bit more information, although does not mention the company name. Specifically, it looks as if skin pigmentation information was given to the Police.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/tm_objectid=14187771&method=full&siteid=50143&headl...

ANCESTOR DNA CLUE TO RAPIST Apr 28 2004

Test helps hunt for OAP attacker

By Jeff Edwards, Chief Crime Correspondent

NEW clues to a serial rapist who preys on old women were found by a DNA technique that tracks people's ancestry, police said yesterday.

It showed he is around 35 and black, possibly light skinned and came from the Caribbean.

The DNA technology has never been used before in this country. Now the Metropolitan Police will test 200 of its own black officers to help narrow the search to one island.

The man has struck 84 times in 12 years, including rapes and sex attacks on women aged 68 to 93. One victim of 88 was raped twice and nearly died of a perforated bowel.

He broke in during the early hours, cut off electricity and phone, removed light bulbs and shone a powerful torch in their eyes.

Det Supt Simon Morgan said: "The victims were petrified." He added it was a "miracle" no one had died of fright.

Mr Morgan said the man wore a balaclava and black nylon catsuit - possibly motorbike gear, suggesting he may ride one. He added: "He has to be stopped. It's reckless and dangerous. I've met all 31 victims. Unfortunately three have gone to their graves not knowing who he was and why he picked them."

The attacks are believed to have started in 1992 in Forest Hill, South London. He also struck in Croydon, Forest Hill and Dulwich in South London, Orpington and Sidcup in Kent and Warlingham in Surrey.

The DNA clues were revealed after samples from attack scenes were tested by a US firm.

The technology was developed out of research which helped discover the roots of Adam, the boy whose torso was found in the Thames.

Officers have also done familial or mitochondrial testing - used to track down Craig Harman, jailed last week for manslaughter after throwing a brick through a truck windscreen in Camberley, Surrey.

Now detectives are working through a list of 100 people with similar DNA to the rapist.

Here is another article which also gives a bit more background information about the case:

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/lewgreennews/display.var.484117.0.dna_helps_in_hunt_for_evil_rapis...

DNA helps in hunt for evil rapist who targets OAPs

THE hunt for Britain's worst sex attacker has taken a huge step forward.

DNA techniques have revealed the rapist, who has attacked more than 30 elderly women, is originally from the West Indies.

The monster, who has gerontophilia a sexual perversion towards elderly people has carried out attacks in and around Orpington, Catford, Forest Hill, Sidcup and Croydon.

Victims are attacked in their homes by the masked black man, aged around 35, who often cuts phone lines and electricity supplies before he strikes.

He shines a torch into the eyes of his victims before attacking them. He has also committed 170 robberies and break-ins.

Investigating officer Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan said: "We have travelled all over the world comparing DNA samples without success but we believe scientific advancements will allow us to discover which island in the West Indies the suspect's ancestors are from and even what town."

The same technique was used to find out Adam, the boy whose torso was found in the Thames, was from Nigeria.