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New DNA Tests Offer Hope For Gilgo Beach Murders

Frank Eltman
/
AP
A press conference is held by the family of Shannan Gilbert, a Jersey City prostitute whose remains led to the discovery of 10 sets of human remains strewn along Long Island’s Gilgo Beach in 2016. Seated at right is attorney John Ray.";

Suffolk County police will be allowed to use new genetic tests to investigate the Gilgo Beach killings. The DNA analysis could help identify victims or even the suspected killer.

New York State regulations prohibit some modern DNA analysis. But state officials say Suffolk County will be able to work with the FBI to bypass the restrictions because local officials don’t have jurisdiction over the federal agency.

Victims of the Gilgo killings were discovered along Ocean Parkway nearly a decade ago. Four of the 10 victims have still not been identified. 

Suffolk County police say the newer genetic tests would compare the DNA to genealogical databases to find potential relatives of the victims or the suspect.

Similar methods were used to identify the Golden State Killer in California.

Jay Shah is a former Long Island bureau chief at WSHU.