The article is misleading. I see this a lot on the more recent cold case murder arrests that have been in the news lately. The media outlets always focus on the snapshot phenotype technology, which I guess is more sensational, when it's actually the
genealogy DNA analysis that actually enables them to narrow down the suspects. Then they obtain a DNA sample via public trash means to verify a DNA match. The idea that hey someone might kinda look like this now is what nabs the murderer is ridiculous. It can help them with broad parameters - male or female, possible ethnicity, skin tone etc, but it's the genealogy work which is really making waves in the forensic field.
Here is an article which is more accurate:
DNA leads US police to arrest murder suspect in 32-year-old cold case
"Authorities had re-opened the investigation twice before, in 2004 and 2011, and found male DNA on several pieces of evidence."
"Early this year, investigators identified Whyte as a suspect through genetic genealogy DNA analysis."
"After identifying Whyte as a possible suspect earlier this year, police began tracking his movements, eventually recovering his DNA from a fast food cup he had been using at a restaurant, KKTV reports, citing an arrest report."
The above quotes were snipped and ordered by me for clarity purposes.