A 54-year-old man has been charged with the alleged rape of a 13-year-old boy in 1991 after police used DNA technology to locate him.
Police allege the boy was cycling through Carine Open Space, in Perth’s north, when he was confronted by a man who restrained him and then sexually assaulted him.
Detectives used new research techniques in genetic genealogy, as well as traditional police work, for their investigation.
Special Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Rohan Ingles said they had been able to bring more historic cases to court using technology.
A 54-year-old man has been charged with the alleged rape of a 13-year-old boy in 1991 after police used DNA technology to locate him (pictured: Perth Central Courts, WA).
Police allege the boy was cycling through Carine Open Space (pictured) in Perth’s north when he was confronted by a man who restrained him and then sexually assaulted him.
“Forensic evidence from the scene led to the Genealogy Investigation Team becoming involved in the case in early 2024, leading to the compilation of a family tree of almost 3,500 people,” Mr Ingles said.
“Through hard and methodical work, the IGG team narrowed down the sample, leading the Special Crimes – Homicide team to conduct further investigations and arrest the man for a crime he allegedly committed more than 30 years ago.”
A Kingsley man has been charged with deprivation of liberty and two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
He faced Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday and Magistrate Tom Hall said the incident was one of the worst he had heard of.
The man was refused bail and is due back in court in July.
