Wölfin
10-21-2009, 09:04 AM
(urgghh I hate those slimy little devils... The only creature in the world to make my blood curdle and to inspire such visceral hatred. Still its an interesting story...)
link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091020-leech-robber-dna-video-ap.html
October 20, 2009—Police in Australia say a blood-engorged leech, through DNA testing, led them to a man responsible for the robbery eight years ago of a 71-year-old woman.
© 2009 National Geographic (AP)
Unedited Transcript
A blood-swollen leech found at a crime scene eight years ago has led police in Australia to an armed robber.
Forensic researchers in Australia say the case could be a first in which investigators have used DNA extracted from a bloodsucker like a leech or a mosquito to solve a crime.
In 2001, 2 men tied up a 71-year-old woman in her remote home in the Tasmanian woods and stole several hundred Australian dollars in cash.
Detectives found the engorged leech at the crime scene.
Last year, suspect Peter Cannon was arrested on an unrelated drug charge, and police recorded his DNA profile. On Monday, Cannon pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in the case.
SOUNDBITE: (English) Detective Inspector Mick Johnston, Tasmania State Police: "For the leech to latch onto the offender as he was probably travelling through the bush to get there to drop off at the scene, to be found during examination and to be able to extract the DNA sample from the blood in the leech, it's, you know, a fairly unique set of circumstances."
Forensic scientist Pam Scott praised the police work.
SOUNDBITE: (English) Pam Scott, Forensic Scientist: "To use something in this way to get a DNA profile is a first and is some really good lateral thinking on the investigator's part, at the scene." SOUNDBITE: (English) Pam Scott, Forensic Scientist: "It certainly leads to potentially more evidence being collected from scenes and the ramifications for that might be more convictions down the track."
The man nabbed with the leeches help could face up to 21 years in prison. His accomplice remains at large.
link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091020-leech-robber-dna-video-ap.html
October 20, 2009—Police in Australia say a blood-engorged leech, through DNA testing, led them to a man responsible for the robbery eight years ago of a 71-year-old woman.
© 2009 National Geographic (AP)
Unedited Transcript
A blood-swollen leech found at a crime scene eight years ago has led police in Australia to an armed robber.
Forensic researchers in Australia say the case could be a first in which investigators have used DNA extracted from a bloodsucker like a leech or a mosquito to solve a crime.
In 2001, 2 men tied up a 71-year-old woman in her remote home in the Tasmanian woods and stole several hundred Australian dollars in cash.
Detectives found the engorged leech at the crime scene.
Last year, suspect Peter Cannon was arrested on an unrelated drug charge, and police recorded his DNA profile. On Monday, Cannon pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in the case.
SOUNDBITE: (English) Detective Inspector Mick Johnston, Tasmania State Police: "For the leech to latch onto the offender as he was probably travelling through the bush to get there to drop off at the scene, to be found during examination and to be able to extract the DNA sample from the blood in the leech, it's, you know, a fairly unique set of circumstances."
Forensic scientist Pam Scott praised the police work.
SOUNDBITE: (English) Pam Scott, Forensic Scientist: "To use something in this way to get a DNA profile is a first and is some really good lateral thinking on the investigator's part, at the scene." SOUNDBITE: (English) Pam Scott, Forensic Scientist: "It certainly leads to potentially more evidence being collected from scenes and the ramifications for that might be more convictions down the track."
The man nabbed with the leeches help could face up to 21 years in prison. His accomplice remains at large.