DNA may solve 62-year-old murder

LONDON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Detectives in Wales are using an aging DNA sample to solve the 1946 killing of a 12-year-old Swansea girl in what may be the world's oldest cold case.

Authorities say DNA taken from the blue raincoat Muriel Drinkwater was wearing the day she was raped, beaten and shot to death could lead to a relative of her killer, The Times of London reported Wednesday.

The raincoat sample failed to produce a match on Britain's national DNA database but authorities have another route to the killer.

"We have produced a partial profile which allows us to conduct a familial search," said Colin Dark, a cold case specialist in the Forensic Science Services. "We may find the suspect's son or grandson."

Dark says if the killer is still alive, he is probably in his eighties.

"Closure is very important in cases like these, not just for families but also for the community," said Paul Bethell, detective chief inspector.