Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney credited advances in DNA technology for strengthening the evidence against accused Long Island serial killer, Rex Heuremann, who has a murder trial looming against hist.
Newsweek reports that the court will examine new DNA methods during Heuremann’s upcoming trial, including techniques for analyzing human hair and other DNA material, to determine if they can be presented.
The DNA techniques are being used for the first time in New York, with Tierney saying advances in DNA technology have bolstered the evidence against Heueremann.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, in July 2023, police arrested Heuermann in Manhattan for the 2009 and 2010 murders of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27. He was charged with three murders.
Tierney and defense attorney Michael J. Brown are expected to call experts for a pretrial Frye hearing, which tests “novel” scientific evidence in criminal cases. A Frye hearing aims to decide whether the DNA techniques used by prosecutors to indict Heuermann are recognized by the scientific community.
“One thing they are going to do is find experts to attack [DNA evidence],” Budowle said.
Prosecutors stated that DNA from Heuermann’s cheek swab matched DNA found on a pizza box he discarded in a trash can near his Manhattan office before his arrest.
Tierney has repeatedly emphasized the importance of DNA evidence for the prosecution.
“In any case where a witness to the crime is no longer there, you have to prove the case through other means,” he said. “You try to layer evidence that corroborates each other. Obviously DNA is a key component in corroborative evidence; you can’t rely on it only.”
Meanwhile, Heuremann remains behind bars at Suffolk County jail, without bail.
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[Feature Photo: Rex Heuermann/Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office via AP
