DNA from unflushed poop leads police to burglary suspect

Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Authorities in California said they used DNA to identify a burglary suspect who "did his business and didn't flush" at the scene of the crime.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office said Andrew Jensen, 42, was arrested July 28 after investigators performed a DNA analysis on fecal matter left unflushed at the scene of an Oct. 7, 2016, burglary in Thousand Oaks.

The California Department of Justice informed the sheriff's office on July 25 that the analysis of the fecal matter resulted in a DNA match to Jensen.

Ventura County Sheriff's Office Detective Tim Lohman told the BBC that the suspect "did his business and didn't flush it."

"Most people don't assume or don't know that DNA can be obtained by other things besides hair and saliva," Lohman said. "We look for any type of evidence that might be left behind. Whether it's a smoked cigarette or a can that may be left behind, we will analyze it."

Jensen was arrested on suspicion of burglary and jailed in lieu of $70,000 bail.