Alberta man charged in 1992 sexual assault case after DNA genealogy breakthrough

RCMP say a Two Hills man has been charged in connection with a sexual assault that occurred more than three decades ago after investigators used a modern genetic genealogy technique to develop a lead from historical DNA evidence.

RCMP say the assault occurred in June 1992 in Two Hills, Alta., when a woman was attacked in her home at knifepoint while her children were present. Investigators collected DNA at the time but were unable to identify a suspect.

Police say the investigation was reopened after a familial DNA lead was identified and investigators obtained a DNA warrant to compare a direct sample with the original evidence. RCMP have now charged 65-year-old Leonard Peter Paulencu, a resident of Two Hills, with sexual assault with a weapon and break and enter to commit an indictable offence.

In a separate report, CityNews described investigative genetic genealogy as a method that can help identify potential relatives of an unknown suspect by comparing crime-scene DNA with profiles already in the system and then building a family tree to narrow down possible suspects.

Police have said the allegations have not been proven in court.

Sources: Alberta RCMP public statement (Facebook)
With files from The Canadian Press