New investigation method for cold cases is successful, will be used more often

A new investigative method for solving serious cold cases has been successfully tested by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service and the Netherlands Forensic Institute. This approach utilizes private DNA databases to compare crime scene DNA with profiles from consenting databases, aiding in identifying suspects through distant relatives and unknown victims. The method will be applied only to serious cases, such as murders and serial assaults, and requires judicial approval. The pilot included six cases, notably the Heuvelmoord, where potential relatives of the suspect were identified in the U.S., prompting a legal assistance request for further investigation.