Murder evidence DNA points to inmate in separate case

Monday 18th August, 04:54 PM JST

OSAKA —

DNA detected on a towel left at the scene of a murder-robbery case in 2001 matches that of a man currently in prison for a separate murder-robbery case, investigative sources said Monday. Using recent advances in technology that have enabled the DNA analysis of small amounts of evidence, the DNA in the towel sample found at the scene of the Aug. 28, 2001, strangulation of drugstore owner Hideyo Tashima, 84, in Osaka’s Asahi Ward was matched with the DNA of the 47-year-old inmate, the sources said.

The Osaka police plan to investigate the man on suspicion of having played a role in Tashima’s murder, the sources said. The man was investigated by police at the time but the technology available was unable to detect the DNA in the towel, according to the investigation. The inmate is serving a life sentence for strangling the owner of a clothes shop in Osaka’s Kita Ward on Aug. 15 that year and stealing 30,000 yen. Several tens of thousands of yen was stolen in the case in Asahi Ward, too.

Kyodo

6 Comments

as_the_crow_flies at 05:32 PM JST - 18th August

Wow! DNA like, being used like, to identify people?!!! That's just so, like, twenty-first century! Soon they'll be able to like, show paternity with DNA in Japan!
borscht at 05:36 PM JST - 18th August

And his name was withheld because he's underage? In prison and it would embarrass his family?
Smythe at 01:42 AM JST - 19th August

DNA has been used in Canada to free some people that were in jail for life & in some cases another jail victim. YET our DNA system takes months for the work to be completed.

I am to understand that the work with DNA testing is several years behind time in one Province & possibly the same in other parts of Cdn., as more updated eqipment is needed & for those to be trained on the latest.

i have a friend that is taking a course that will train him along the same manner of not necessarily DNA but something else-----so we are looking at four or five years for him to possibly obtain is degree & then who will hire him----but that it still 4 or 5 yrs before he can be of use to the police or lawyers on either side.

So DNA is being requested a lot by others. Also in such cases the freed person ends up with a maze of money for the wrong conviction. Not just one case, but a NUMBER of them.
romulus3 at 02:35 AM JST - 19th August

I would never trust these criminal cops with a sample of playboy. never.
fatloser at 06:38 AM JST - 19th August

Will the COPS start solving cases by finding the DNA of prisoners on EVERYTHING? In Kyushu the police were dragging "suspects" to crime scenes and forcing them to touch certain objects which were later used as "evidence" of their guilt. That porno mag they give you might make you into a serial rapist.
PLANETCOP123 at 11:30 AM JST - 21st August

i think in prison, this towel was produced some blood taken and then the towel was taken OUT and then used!.