DNA test pins murderer

A DNA test by the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) here, has confirmed the identity of the murderer of Prathibha Murthy, a Bangalore-based call centre employee, officials of the laboratory said here on Thursday.

Murthy, an employee of HP Global Soft, was raped and murdered on December 13 as she was travelling to work.

The accused, who was ferrying her, had impersonated himself as an authorised driver to make the victim board the car. Murthy's rape and murder had raised concerns over the safety of women employees working in the flourishing outsourcing industry.

CDFD said that it had received three samples for DNA analysis in connection with the case from director, Karnataka Forensic Science Laboratory and deputy commissioner of police, south division and Bangalore.

The three samples included pieces of garment and vaginal swab of the victim and blood sample of the accused. "Analysis of the vaginal swab was inconclusive because no DNA could be recovered (including the victim's DNA)," CDFD said in a statement.

"On the other hand, the DNA profiles of semen stains detected on the victim's garment matched that of the accused." CDFD said that the report detailing these findings was sent to the deputy commissioner of police, south division, and Bangalore on March 27.