“New investigative techniques using genetic genealogy, coupled with good old-fashioned detective work, led to the result,” a spokesman said.
“The Investigative Genealogy Team became involved in this case earlier this year and their research led to a family tree of nearly 3500 people being identified. Hard work narrowed down to this day.”
The DNA technique is the same method police in the USA employed to catch the Golden Gate Killer who was responsible for nearly 60 home invasions, 50 rapes and 13 murders. He had at least 106 victims dating back to the 1970s but wasn’t arrested until 2018 when police used genealogy data to match his DNA to the crimes.
“Investigative genetic genealogy is an emerging investigative technique, which WA Police are at the forefront of across this country,” Special Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Rohan Ingles said.
“The technique involves assessing crime scene samples or DNA samples from unidentified human remains, processing through a different process being the genetic genealogy site to ascertain who owns that profile.
“Solving cases like this is incredibly rewarding, but most importantly, it’s about the victim and providing them with some level of comfort that they are not forgotten, that we’re looking into these offences constantly.”
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Durbridge was charged with deprivation of liberty and two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
He applied for bail through a duty lawyer which was denied after the magistrate said the details of the offending were some of the worst he had ever heard.
“Prosecution case is DNA evidence which is generally strong evidence,” he said.