Evidence in 2005 Virginia attack key to unlocking Charlottesville murders | Forensic Files

on a September night in 2005 a young woman was walking home from the grocery store along this sidewalk in Fairfax
County Virginia it was dark but she wasn't particularly afraid this is a safe area but then a man came up and
asked her for directions she said she thought there was something odd about him but she politely gave him the
directions and continued on her way unfortunately for her her instincts about this guy were absolutely right he
came up behind her grabbed her threw her to the ground and she ended up some 50 or 60 yard over here her clothing was
found over near that garbage can luckily for her a passer by heard her screams came to her Aid and probably saved her
life in a case like this the police don't have too much to work with the young woman was able to give an artist
enough information so that he could do a sketch but more importantly than that a
fragment of DNA was found under the fingernail of her right hand that DNA would provide the Clue the key to
solving not just this rape but also several other crimes police say two murders in fact the story of how it all
came together how police pieced the pieces of the puzzle together is one of determination dogged detective work
blind luck and pure Serendipity and it's the subject of our 48 hour season premiere this Saturday

"48 Hours" correspondent Susan Spencer visits the scene of a 2005 rape and attempted murder in Fairfax, Va., and explains why that case and evidence recovered has helped investigators ID a suspect in two murders over 100 miles away.

Brief Summary

A 2005 assault case in Virginia reveals how DNA linked multiple crimes.

Key points

A Night of Terror. In September 2005, a young woman faced a terrifying encounter while walking home.
A Key Clue. A fragment of DNA found under the victim's fingernail becomes crucial in solving multiple crimes.

Episode highlights

A Key ClueA fragment of DNA found under the victim's fingernail becomes crucial in solving multiple crimes.“That DNA would provide the clue to solving not just this rape but also several other crimes.”0:57Sep 24, 2015

Episode quotes

Her instincts about this guy were absolutely right.

A young woman reflects on her intuition during a dangerous encounter.

0:21WatchSep 24, 2015

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