KUALA LUMPUR – A man was arrested to assist investigations into the rape of a teenage girl at a workshop in Sg Pinang, Balik Pulau, Penang, 12 years ago, after two deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiles in the DNA data system matched.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said the first DNA sample, its owner unknown, was lifted at the location of the incident 12 years ago.
The sample collected was entered into the system under the DNA Identification Act 2009, which allows police to store past DNA data.
“According to the act, we are allowed to keep the DNA evidence and categorise them under the suspects index for other cases. The DNA profile (of the suspect) has been kept until the individual involved in this case 12 years ago, was arrested again,” he told Bernama recently.
Jalil said this means that individuals who commit another offence would have their DNA sample taken for a second time to match the available DNA sample.
“We then uploaded the suspect’s DNA onto the DNA data system and automatically found a DNA matching with the case that happened 12 years ago,” he said.
He said when a match is made to link to an offender, the individual involved will be detained to assist in the investigation and as a last resort, police will send the suspect’s DNA sample to the Chemistry Department to determine his or her involvement.
After 12 years, police arrested a man on April 7, to assist investigations into the rape of a teenage girl at a workshop at Sg Pinang, Balik Pulau. – Bernama, April 11, 2022
