CANADA Canada - Sonia Varaschin, 42, Orangeville, 29 Aug 2010 - #2

[dotr]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...rch-for-ontario-nurses-killer/article2033007/
“The investigators are looking at a very specific angle,” said Constable Peter Leon, declining to say what the angle is.

Interesting, an angle besides the DNA testing? Wonder if some samples are to be compared with Kera Freeland's presumed 'date"Lots of comments follow this article,many do not agree with this tactic - but I think that if it finds the killer, it might well save someone else's life and spare another family endless heartbreak.

 

[Wondergirl]

LE caught Holly Jones' killer this way.

I wonder how common this tactic is?

I guess there is no doubt whatsoever that the perp(s) a male.

BBM: I guess it's damned if you do, damned if you don't. Maybe the best bet is to not be available for a test? :waitasec:

What’s certain is that anyone declining the OPP’s request for a specimen of their saliva – there is no legal requirement to provide one – will draw quick scrutiny.


After Toronto software-developer and convicted killer Michael Briere murdered 12-year-old Holly Jones in 2003, it was his refusal to provide a DNA sample that brought detectives to his door.


“That’s always something that can happen,” Constable Leon said.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...rch-for-ontario-nurses-killer/article2033007/

 

[Wondergirl]

As for the procedure itself:

The target group in the big sweep, which will start in the next few days and likely take weeks, will be any and all male adults who knew Ms. Varaschin, either at the time of her death or before. The testing will be done at Toronto’s Centre of Forensic Sciences.


Where there is no match, the donor will be notified by letter and the sample destroyed, to allay concerns it might be used for a fishing expedition in any future investigations.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...rch-for-ontario-nurses-killer/article2033007/

and this from the OPP:

With respect to the collection of the DNA samples the following details are offered:

• There is no obligation to provide a DNA sample. Participation is totally voluntary, safe, and completely confidential.
• The DNA samples will only be used to compare to DNA recovered during this investigation.
• Individuals providing a DNA sample are asked to sign a consent form and can contact legal counsel for advice prior to signing.
• Trained officers will be requesting a buccal sample. A sterile swab is used to collect a buccal sample from the inside of the mouth.
• The sample and all associated documentation are destroyed once deemed not to be a match to this investigation. Providers of samples receive written confirmation that this has occurred.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2011/24/c7024.html

 

[Wondergirl]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...rch-for-ontario-nurses-killer/article2033007/
“The investigators are looking at a very specific angle,” said Constable Peter Leon, declining to say what the angle is.

Interesting, an angle besides the DNA testing? Wonder if some samples are to be compared with Kera Freeland's presumed 'date"Lots of comments follow this article,many do not agree with this tactic - but I think that if it finds the killer, it might well save someone else's life and spare another family endless heartbreak.

BBM: Is this the angle?

Investigators ask residents who witness anyone who shows a change in behavior or quickly leaves the area as a result of the DNA canvas to contact the Orangeville Police Service at 519-941-2522, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

http://www.orangeville.com/localprofile/article/1014179--dna-samples-sought-for-varaschin-case

 

[dotr]

This is a debate (for anyone who might be interested) from January, addressing the subject of mass DNA testing.
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com...ching-a-killer-turn-500000-men-into-suspects/
The price of catching a killer: Turn 500,000 men into suspects

Matt Gurney in Toronto: This is a hard thing to support philosophically, since using biology to show your innocence totally undermines our concept of innocent until proven guilty. Besides, I’ve gotta be pragmatic here – I’m a young white guy who owns firearms and has even, gasp, played the odd violent video game. In a situation like this, my cheeks would be swabbed raw. But I’m not blind to the logic behind the idea of mass DNA tests. The logistics of testing 500,000 or so men would be nightmarish, and it would be the easiest thing in the world to dodge – Sorry, there, ole chap, must have been visiting me mum that day – but I can only imagine the frustration of police who have a piece of key, irrefutable evidence that could lead them directly to a killer … if only they could link it to the right person

 

[LadyL]

This is a debate (for anyone who might be interested) from January, addressing the subject of mass DNA testing.
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com...ching-a-killer-turn-500000-men-into-suspects/
The price of catching a killer: Turn 500,000 men into suspects

Matt Gurney in Toronto: This is a hard thing to support philosophically, since using biology to show your innocence totally undermines our concept of innocent until proven guilty. Besides, I’ve gotta be pragmatic here – I’m a young white guy who owns firearms and has even, gasp, played the odd violent video game. In a situation like this, my cheeks would be swabbed raw. But I’m not blind to the logic behind the idea of mass DNA tests. The logistics of testing 500,000 or so men would be nightmarish, and it would be the easiest thing in the world to dodge – Sorry, there, ole chap, must have been visiting me mum that day – but I can only imagine the frustration of police who have a piece of key, irrefutable evidence that could lead them directly to a killer … if only they could link it to the right person

[bbm]

I don't understand the bolded statement. Plus, I hadly think Sonia knew 500,000 men. They're asking men who knew her to come in, not the entire city of random strangers.

 

[flipflop]

BBM: Is this the angle?

Im guessing that the angle is targeting all the men that had contact with SV on the dating website that she was on...asking them to come forward to provide the DNA sample, if they refuse, they put the target on their own back which in turn leads LE towards them.

The investigators have a list of individuals that they’re looking for cooperation from,” OPP Const. Peter Leon said Tuesday.

Those individuals are all men over 18 who knew or met Varaschin, who was slain in her Spring St. townhouse in Orangeville last August.

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/996425--dna-samples-sought-in-varaschin-murder-probe

After reading some of the comments below the news articles about asking men to come forward to supply a DNA sample...many are saying that they do not trust that the samples will be destroyed when and if they do not match. I am wondering why they would worry if they are destroyed or not. If you are an honest standup citizen, why would you care if your DNA is in a database.

 

[Wondergirl]

Does anyone know what time the presser is? I read in an earlier article, LE will be taking questions from 10 am until 2 pm. Maybe the presser is at 10 am, with questions to follow?

They have made progress with the investigation, according to this:

OPP Det.-Insp. Andy Karski plans to announce progress Wednesday, including new details, but the couple said they were not told if a suspect has been identified.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/23/nobody-deserves-that--grieving-father

 

[Wondergirl]

I wonder if all the males that have their DNA being requested, will also have size 10 to 11 boots???

That would narrow things down considerably, I would think.

 

[LadyL]

I'm really happy to see progress in this case. It seems like a lot all at once and I hope it smokes the snake out of his hole.

 

[abberline]

After reading some of the comments below the news articles about asking men to come forward to supply a DNA sample...many are saying that they do not trust that the samples will be destroyed when and if they do not match. I am wondering why they would worry if they are destroyed or not. If you are an honest standup citizen, why would you care if your DNA is in a database.

Many people have a general distrust for police forces these days. It might have something to do with all of the negative press they get as it relates to abuse of power.

It is unfortunate that citizens would be worried about helping out by providing their DNA. The reality is, when a growing number of the population believes that the policing establishment has evolved into a legalized gang, eliciting cooperation can be difficult.

Having one's DNA in a database when you are a standup citizen is not particularly the issue in my view. Rather cooperating with an organized group that you believe to be colossally full of crap is where the problem arises.

I for one hope many of these people do in fact provide their samples and put that 'distrust' behind them. Justice for Sonia and her family is what is important here.

 

[matou]

So happy to hear about this finally. LE have DNA from the suspect and now they need to match it. The other angle will likely be LE watching who leaves the area since they have a list of people they want DNA from.

“The investigators have a list of individuals that they’re looking for co-operation from,” OPP Const. Peter Leon said yesterday."

and

"Police already have DNA from a suspect in her murder, he said."

http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/article/870275--dna-samples-sought-in-murder-probe

 

[Kamille]

I'm surprised that it's taken this long for them to go this route with the DNA testing of individuals who had been in contact with Sonia in the months leading up to her murder. And I'm also surprised about the dating site angle just coming into play now. Both of these options were discussed by posters here and I'm sure other places on the internet very early on in this case. And the fact that she'd cancelled her POF account in January really sent up a red flag for me. You would think that someone would only bother to do that if they'd had trouble with someone from the site and were turned off by the whole experience. Otherwise, they just wouldn't bother signing in to the site if they were in a new relationship and weren't interested in finding anyone at the moment.

I also hope they have individuals who have since moved from the area on their new suspect list.

 

[dotr]

Besides giving this family some measure of comfort, it will free all the innocent people involved( through association) in this case from further scrutiny.IMO

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2011/24/c7024.html
By providing a DNA sample you will assist in our efforts to catch the person responsible for the senseless and brutal slaying of this innocent woman and bring them to justice", said Detective Inspector Andy Karski of the OPP's Criminal Investigation Branch. "It is completely confidential and by agreeing to provide this voluntary sample you will be doing a great service to your community and public safety", Karski added.

 

[matou]

Hmmmm sounds good to me!

Investigators are expected to compile a list in the next few days, but the process is expected to continue for several weeks.

"I think it's important for the killer to understand we have your DNA and it's only a matter of time before we find out who you are," Const. Peter Leon told CBC News.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/05/24/toronto-varaschin-dna.html

 

[matou]

"Your time is running out," he said in a message directly to the killer.

He said the DNA was found at one of the three crime scenes.

"If they have picked up and moved," police will track them down, Leon said."

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/25/refusing-dna-sample-will-draw-attention-varaschin-investigator

 

[matou]

Hmmm DNA was found at the murder scene.

"Our investigators are confident the DNA that has been collected [at the murder scene] is of the killer,” Leon said."

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/a...ead-to-nurse-s-killer-within-weeks-police-say

 

[Wondergirl]

LE must have a short list, 2-3 weeks?

DNA will lead to nurse’s killer within weeks, police say

Police investigating the 2010 murder of Sonia Varaschin say they expect to collect the DNA evidence they need to identify her killer within two or three weeks.

“The message today is to the killer: We have your DNA, it is only a matter of time until we find out who you are,” Ontario Provinical Police Const. Peter Leon told a news conference outside Orangeville’s police station Wednesday morning.


“If you have nothing to hide, then it’s is your obligation to provide that DNA sample.”

While police expect to have samples in the Varaschin case collected by mid-June, results depend on how quickly the “very, very busy” Centre for Forensics Sciences can examine each piece of evidence, Leon said.


http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/a...ead-to-nurse-s-killer-within-weeks-police-say

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/a...ead-to-nurse-s-killer-within-weeks-police-say

 

[Wondergirl]

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/25/refusing-dna-sample-will-draw-attention-varaschin-investigator

DNA was found at 1 of the 3 crime scenes? This surprises me. I wonder if it is true?

 

[Wondergirl]

This is interesting.

"If they have picked up and moved," police will track them down, Leon said.

Leon said if a person refuses to provide a swab, investigators will wonder why.

It could take between two and three weeks to get all of the swabs.

Once a person is arrested all of the other samples will be destroyed.

The samples will be given numbers before being handed over to the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto. Those who are ruled out will receive a letter saying they are not a suspect.

Those who don't provide DNA, they will "be part of the investigation," he said.

"We respect the fact people wish to say no," Leon said.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/25/refusing-dna-sample-will-draw-attention-varaschin-investigator