In mid-January 2024, U.S. News was one of many news sources to report on the arrest of a Philadelphia man for his involvement in a brutal home invasion in suburban Philadelphia nearly 11 years prior. The man is currently facing charges of criminal homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy, all stemming from a deadly stabbing of a man and sexual assault of a woman that allegedly took place during the home invasion. Although the crime had remained unsolved for over a decade, newly discovered forensic evidence linked the man to the scene of the crime.

While it may seem shocking for an arrest to take place over a decade after the crime in question, advancements in DNA technologies, cold case databases, and psychological profiling continue to track down suspects of decades-old crimes. If you have been informed that you are facing charges related to a violent crime or sexual assault case that occurred in the past, contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team for help by calling 888-535-3686 or by using our online contact form.

Modern Advancements in Cold Cases

Modern advancements have significantly aided the intricate world of solving violent crimes and sexual assault cases. Newly discovered DNA technologies allow law enforcement to analyze and match even the smallest DNA samples for identification. As DNA samples from old evidence continue to emerge, cold case databases are constantly updated and re-examined, sometimes linking potential suspects to multiple crimes throughout the years. Even forensic genealogy, a scientific advancement that identifies relatives based on DNA samples, has helped identify suspects and discard alibis. Finally, advancements in psychological profiling and research have helped to narrow down suspects or better explain the sequence of a crime.

Advancements Not Without Flaws

The many scientific advancements that have ushered in new methods of criminal forensic work may seem indestructible, but they are not without their flaws. DNA technologies, for example, can be contaminated or degrade over time, yielding misinterpreted results. Forensic genealogy, if not conducted properly, can also yield false positives, leading to wrongful accusations that improperly target a suspect's family member as an accomplice.

These issues can raise a legal defense strategy known as “chain of custody,” a defense strategy that undermines the accuracy of evidence due to how it was handled, stored, or documented during the timeframe from being collected to being presented in court. Successful chain of custody defenses can prompt the court to find that the evidence is inadmissible, meaning that the evidence will not be allowed in court, and the prosecution will not be allowed to reference it during their case in chief.

Violent Crime Defense in Pennsylvania

If you have been arrested for a violent crime that occurred in the past, contact our LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team today for help. Our Team can examine the strength of evidence in your case and develop strategies that undermine the strength of the prosecution's arguments. Contact us today by calling 888-535-3686 or using our online contact form.