An elderly man has been arrested in New South Wales for a series of historic sexual assaults, facilitated by advanced DNA technology similar to that used in the Golden State Killer case.
In a groundbreaking development, New South Wales police have utilized advanced DNA technology to make a significant arrest in a series of historic sexual assault cases. Robert Wayne Kwan, a 77-year-old man, was taken into custody following a search warrant executed in South Kempsey. Kwan now faces multiple charges, including nine counts of sexual assault and several kidnapping charges, allegedly stemming from incidents that occurred over an 11-year span, beginning in 1991.
The alleged assaults involve three separate victims: an 11-year-old girl in Sydney in 1991, a 16-year-old girl in the Illawarra in 1996, and a 26-year-old woman in Dubbo in 2002. This case marks a pioneering use of forensic investigative genetic genealogy (Figg) by NSW police. By comparing DNA profiles from the different crime scenes, detectives were able to connect the genetic dots and identify Kwan as a suspect. This method represents an evolution from traditional forensic science, which relied on a limited number of genetic markers.
The implications of this arrest extend beyond just one man facing justice; it signifies the potential for emerging DNA technologies to resolve cold cases and provide answers to victims and communities long affected by these crimes. Similar techniques have been employed in high-profile cases elsewhere, most notably the apprehension of the Golden State Killer in the United States, highlighting an effective strategy in modern law enforcement to address historical sexual violence.
