Police Turn To Familial DNA With Hopes Of Capturing 'Fairmount Rapist'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Police are launching a new, high tech manhunt in hopes of catching the Fairmount Park Rapist, the sexual predator who has attacked four women, raping and murdering med student Rebecca Park.
As the eighth anniversary of the rapist's first assault draws near, police are now using a new type of DNA search, familial DNA, for the first time in the department's history.
Unsuccessful at finding a match for the killer's DNA, police are now hoping to find a match with DNA from a family member that will lead to the rapist.
The effort is made possible by Dr. Bruce Budowle and his associates from North Texas University Health and Science Center in Fort Worth who donated training and nearly a million dollars in software for Philadelphia Police technicians.
Familial DNA recently help lead to the arrest of the "Grim Sleeper," an alleged serial killer in Los Angeles, charged with murdering 10 victims.
Police say they expect it will take two to four weeks before they learn if they are making progress in their new DNA effort to catch the serial attacker.
Reported by Walt Hunter, CBS 3
