Authorities Missed Earlier Chance to ID Suspect in 'Grim Sleeper' Killings
Authorities used controversial familial DNA testing to identify Lonnie David Frankin Jr. as a suspect in the “Grim Sleeper” serial murders.
But they could have used Franklin’s own DNA, if it had been collected as required under a 2004 law, reports the Los Angeles Times. And doing so might have saved the final slaying victim, by identifying Franklin as a suspect earlier.
As a felony offender on probation, Franklin was supposed to provide a DNA sample under the law. However, by the time Los Angeles authorities developed a protocol for collecting the samples and arranged to provide needed equipment and training, Franklin had completed his probation. Thousands of other individuals on probation may also have escaped scrutiny in the same manner, the newspaper notes.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Son’s DNA & Discarded Pizza Slice ID Suspect in 10 ‘Grim Sleeper’ Murders Over 25 Years”
