Investigators looking into the nearly 30-year murder case of Sophie Toscan du Plantier believe they have found ‘potentially conclusive genetic material’ which will identify the killer.
DNA material, thought to have come from the murderer, was recovered last month using a forensic technique called Touch DNA, along with a device called the M-Vac. It marks the first time substantial DNA evidence has been recovered in the case.
The US-based M-Vac System came to Ireland earlier in the summer to carry out detailed forensic examinations on several items with the hopes of gleaning new evidence in the murder of the French filmmaker in West Cork.
Ms Toscua du Plantier was 39 years old when she was found badly beaten on the laneway leading to her holiday home in Toormore, near Schull, Co Cork on December 23, 1996.
She was beaten to death with a rock and a concrete block. Toscan du Plantier’s killer was never identified.
Investigating Gardaí initially took DNA samples from nine local men, with primary suspect Ian Bailey also asked to provide a blood sample.
Ian Bailey. (RollingNews.ie)
The M-Vac method of testing is a forensic DNA collection technique which uses a wet vacuum system to recover DNA material from surfaces — particularly rough surfaces.
A number of cold cases in the USA have been solved using the advanced method, with M-Vac Systems CEO Jared Bradley amongst those coming to Ireland in July for the testing.
Security sources previously told Extra.ie that while the system has ‘helped solve a lot of cold cases’ there have also been ‘plenty of false dawns in this investigation.’
They said: ‘M-Vac has been working with Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) on the task and reports are due soon. We can’t put an exact timeframe on it but it could be days but most likely a matter of weeks.’
According to a report from The Times, DNA material thought to come from the killer was recovered last month following intensive testing alongside FSI, with a ‘rigorous schedule of lab testing underway’.
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A source told the publication that testing typically takes a minimum of 30 days.
‘It is hugely significant because it [the recovered DNA] could not have been deposited by anyone other than the killer,’ the source said.
Elsewhere, a retired forensics expert has claimed there were a number of gaps in the Garda file submitted to the French authorities in advance of the charging and conviction of Ian Bailey in France for the murder of Toscan du Plantier.
Bridget Chappuis told Extra.ie that ‘much of what was supplied to the French authorities by the Gardaí overwhelmingly supported Ian Bailey’s guilt.
‘And much of this was in the nature of bad character and alleged confessions and very little in the way of concrete forensic evidence.’
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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