Hi Sleuthers. I have read all 10 websleuth threads on this topic, and all related media articles since BRE was charged.
The one issue I have is the ongoing assumption that familial DNA was collected from an offending (male) relative or covertly through an RBT.
Familial DNA can be collected, with a warrant, from a female relative's pap smear i.e. mother, sister, etc.
Most women have pap smears every two years and tissue and blood is collected which obviously contains DNA.
You'd be surprised at the level of personal information the AFP has access to!
Collecting familial DNA and linking it to suspects is a relatively new technology, however.
Indeed, the BTK (Dennis Rader) serial killer was caught after police obtained a warrant to test DNA from his daughter's pap smear results. Prior to this, they had circumstantial evidence against him, but not enough for an arrest.
The Australian revealed the familial DNA technique was a key step (once all the other evidence was lined up) in identifying the CSK for police to make a confident arrest.
It's likely, as previously mentioned on here, that BRE was identified by the Huntingdale victim and on the police radar, but the familial DNA comparison then clinched the case.
All they they had to do then was get the DNA records from his mother or sister's next (or most recent) pap smear, raid his house, charge him and then finally test his DNA sample of course.
Just my informed opinion. I look forward to hearing more about the case if / when it goes to trial.
