DNA narrows down hunt for rapist

DNA techniques were used to narrow down the search

The search for a rapist who has struck at least 30 times over 12 years has been narrowed down to 1,000 suspects.

Scotland Yard's biggest manhunt, Operation Minstead, has used DNA samples to trace the geographical roots of the man's ancestors.

He has been linked to at least four rapes and 27 sexual assaults in south London on women aged between 68 and 93.

Suspects have been narrowed down from an initial list of 10,000 and have been invited to give DNA samples.

Family roots

Detectives say most are co-operating, but some have refused to give samples.

The attacker wears an all-in-one black suit and often removes light bulbs, cuts telephone wires and turns off the power after breaking into victims' homes.

One, an 88-year-old woman, was raped twice - her bowel was perforated and she almost died.

DNA techniques developed during the 'Adam' torso inquiry have been used to trace the attackers family's roots.

Samples from crime scenes in south London were sent to the DNA Print Genomics in Florida, and found to contain Native American, European and Sub-Saharan strands.

The combination is only found in the Caribbean.