Britain’s cat DNA database helps convict killer
LONDON — British academics say a newly created DNA database of British cats has helped convict a killer, illustrating how even pets’ genetic material can be a boon to forensic scientists.
The University of Leicester says its catalog of 152 felines’ DNA buttressed the prosecution case against David Hilder, who was convicted of manslaughter last week at a court in the English city of Winchester.
Hilder killed and dismembered his neighbor, David Guy, in an English resort town last year, dumping his torso on a nearby beach, where it was discovered by students.
Cat hairs found on the torso matched Hilder’s pet, Tinker. Academics said Wednesday that they created the DNA database in an effort to show how accurate the match was.
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