High-tech forensics solves the simplest of crimes - q13fox.com
"Law enforcement agencies have come to appreciate DNA evidence as a tool that helps physically tie perpetrators to the most heinous and high-profile crimes. Recently however, DNA was used to help close the books on a relatively ordinary, 6-month-old robbery case.
Back in September, a man living in the 2400 Block of Thorndyke Place West was startled to look out his window and see a stranger rifling through his truck. When the man went outside to confront the suspect he was holding his 1-year-old daughter. “The suspect apologized for prowling his truck, but continued to take items,” Seattle Police Detective Mark Jamieson said. “The suspect jumped out of the victim’s truck wielding a knife and threatened to stab the victim.” The suspect then ran to an SUV he had recently stolen and drove off — crashing into two parked cars in the process.
The SUV was soon recovered and one seemingly innocuous piece of evidence was discovered — a cigarette butt. The cigarette was sent off for DNA testing and detectives were surprised to learn the man who had smoked it was in the database. After the victim picked the suspect out of a photo lineup, detectives knew they had their man.
“On March 20, detectives learned that the suspect was already in custody in the King County Jail for an unrelated crime,” Jamieson said. “He was interviewed by detectives and later rebooked into jail for investigation of robbery.”"
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