Advancements in DNA tech revive 24 year old sexual assault case at Big White

New technology has given West Kelowna RCMP a reason to re-examine an aggravated sexual assault case from 24 years ago.

On Dec. 27, 2002, a 19-year-old Australian woman was working at Big White Ski Resort when police were notified that she had been sexually assaulted, according to a press release from RCMP.

She was a seasonal worker walking home in the early morning hours on a well-traveled path when someone attacked her from behind. She had sustained serious injuries in the attack and the male suspect fled on foot. Police said the woman has since returned to Australia.

The suspect was described with brown hair and wearing a yellow jacket or a jacket with yellow on it.

West Kelowna RCMP Const. Ash Puri told iNFOnews.ca that new technology is why investigators are asking the public for information.

“As for why the case is being revisited, advancements in forensic science — particularly in DNA analysis— continue to evolve. Since 2002, testing has become far more sensitive, meaning that samples which previously produced only partial or limited results can sometimes yield more information today,” he said in an email.

Puri said there are also more ways to compare DNA results and take new looks at old files.

“In addition, improvements in how DNA is compared and interpreted, along with renewed reviews of historical files, can create investigative opportunities that weren’t available at the time,” he said.

Police aren’t sure whether these advancements will solve the case.

“While we can’t say whether that will lead to a breakthrough in this case, it does allow us to re-examine the evidence with a fresh perspective,” he said.

The new DNA technology allows police to get a DNA result with less material. So, something that only had a small amount of DNA on it or degraded DNA can now produce a result, when before it wouldn’t have been much help.

Puri said this isn’t the only cold case that police are retesting evidence for in the hope that these advancements could lead to a suspect.

“We do have cold case files that are constantly being re-examined for new evidence. Unfortunately, we do have other priority files that do come in from time to time, which do take precedence over cold case files,” he said.

Investigators are asking for any information that might help identify the suspect. Police said since so much time has passed maybe someone can come forward who wouldn’t have been able to years ago.

Puri said police aren’t in touch with Big White Ski Resort for assistance because it wouldn’t help the investigation.

“We’re hoping for witness statements, people that were told from reluctant witnesses at that point in time to come forward to police with some information,” he said.

Anyone with information can call West Kelowna RCMP’s Cpl. Brent Lane at 250-768-2880 and reference file number 2002-58983. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).