DNA Illustration Of Norristown Gunpoint Rape Suspect Released: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — Using an advanced science called DNA phenotyping, authorities have been able to create a composite image of the suspect in a gunpoint rape which occurred in Norristown Farm Park last summer.

The Aug. 1 sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman jogging in a normally quiet stretch of the park has alarmed nearby residents and spurred a manhunt for the suspect. A $10,000 reward for his capture has been posted, but no arrests have been made. Authorities hope the image of the suspect created using phenotyping will help them lead to a big break.

The process of phenotyping enables labs to use a piece of DNA evidence to predict important traits regarding the individual without any other information, including eye color, hair color, skin color, freckling, and face shape.

The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and West Norriton detectives worked closely with Parabon NanoLabs, based out of Reston, Va., to create a "snapshot" image of the suspect.

“We hope Snapshot’s predictions for this individual prove helpful in the investigation,” Ellen Greytak, Parabon’s director of bioinformatics, said in a statement. “His distinctive ancestry and associated phenotypes should significantly narrow the field of possible suspects."

The DNA sample of the rape suspect showed that his ancestry is 52.48 percent European and 45.27 percent African, which was labeled by Parabon as "African admixed." Scientists say that this roughly 50-50 split is somewhat rare, and could indicate that one of the suspect's recent ancestors is of direct European descent.

According to Parabon, the suspect has light brown or brown skin, no freckles, brown or hazel eyes, and black hair.

Phenotyping and the subject of "familial DNA searching," a proposed method in which authorities could search DNA databases to trace leads on suspects, has slowly been drawn into the national spotlight in recent years. The Pennsylvania state senate has been turning over legislation to regulate - and advance - the potential impact of the science since at least 2012.

The most recent incarnation of that legislation, Senate Bill 683, would require the state to collect DNA of convicts once they are convicted of a crime. Authorities could then use DNA collected from a crime scene to search that database for previous convicts.

For more information on the incident at the farm park, see here. The $10,000 reward remains posted for information that leads to the capture of the suspect. If you have any information, please call 610-278-3368 or 610-630-1701.

Image via Montgomery County District Attorney's Office