Philly Cops Get High-Tech Hand In Kensington Strangler Hunt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia police say they will pursue an offer from the Denver district attorney for cutting-edge DNA technology as they try to track the so-called "Kensington strangler," responsible for three murders and suspected in several other assaults (see related stories).

The Kensington strangler remains elusive, but Philadelphia authorities should soon have a new tool to try to track him down.  Denver DA Mitch Morrissey (right) says the software tool examines something called "familial DNA," and could identify those who could be related to the killer -- eventually leading to the killer.

"The software searches for common markers that we find in the database between individuals, and of course people who are related are more likely to share these markers," Morrissey explained to KYW Newsradio on Monday.

The software also helps investigators determine how rare a particular marker is and the likelihood that two people are related.

Morrissey says it's worked in his jurisdiction and was used to help catch a suspect in the "Grim Sleeper" serial murder case in California.

Philadelphia authorities say they will pursue the technology, adding that it will be another tool in their arsenal as they hunt Kensington strangler (see previous stories).

Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060.