DNA profiling

According to news reports, Goudschaal and another detective then sent the DNA evidence to Parabon Laboratories, a Virginia-based company that specializes in DNA profiling for law enforcement.

This DNA profiling method starts with the collection of human tissue or bodily fluids, which can be obtained with personal consent, by means of a court order or through investigative techniques such as crime scene evidence gathering.

In 2007, forensic scientists had run a nationwide operation to review biological samples from "cold case" unsolved crimes in the hope that technical advances in DNA profiling could identify more suspects.

The cold case remained unsolved, but the investigation was re-opened in 2012 following advances in DNA profiling.

The unsolved case was reopened following advances in DNA profiling, the jury was told.