By Thomas Møller Christensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Photo: Lasse Møller Badstue

The Copenhagen Police have had a remarkable breakthrough in a 34-year-old murder case. A 53-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the murder of Hanne With, who was found killed in her apartment in Nørrebro on New Year's night 1990.

The breakthrough came with the help of familial searching. The breakthrough came with the help of familial searching. DNA material found on the victim's trousers was compared with DNA profiles in the police database. Instead of searching for a direct match, they searched for close family members of the person who had left the DNA.

The method led the police to a 53-year-old man who is now charged with the murder and remanded in custody.

- This case demonstrates the potential of DNA familial searching as an effective investigative tool. As far as I know, this is the first time that Danish police have used familial searching in the DNA database to find possible perpetrators.

This is explained by Mikkel Meyer Andersen, a lecturer at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Aalborg University. He researches mathematical and statistical assessments of DNA evidence and has previously served as an expert witness in court in other murder cases.

Method can lead to resolution in other unsolved cases

Mikkel Meyer Andersen sees great potential in DNA familial searching for reopening unsolved cases.

- The method can help us find possible suspects, and it can lead to breakthroughs in cases that would otherwise remain unsolved.

Although DNA traces in this murder case were crucial in identifying a possible perpetrator, it is not a guarantee of a final resolution, emphasizes Mikkel Meyer Andersen. Therefore, it is important that the police also have other evidence against the suspect.

Mikkel Meyer Andersen has explained the method used in connection with the arrest in a number of media outlets. Read some of the articles here: