527 potential suspects in French high school rape lead to mass DNA test
PARIS – Male students and staff at a high school in western France — 527 people in total — are being asked to give DNA samples as police search for the assailant who raped a teenage girl last fall.
The La Rochelle prosecutor’s office says tests began Monday morning and were expected to last through Wednesday at Fenelon-Notre Dame high school, where the 16-year-old was sexually assaulted Sept. 30 in a dark bathroom. Students received their summonses last week.
“This happened during the school day in a confined space,” said Chantal Devaux, the private Roman Catholic school’s director. “The decision to take such a large sample was made because it was the only way to advance the investigation.”
France has an extensive DNA database and refusing a test is considered legally suspect.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
