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Leech convicts Australian robber Leech convicts Australian robber
(about 4 hours later)
Australian Police in Tasmania have used a blood sample from a leech to identify a criminal, in what is believed to be a world forensic first.Australian Police in Tasmania have used a blood sample from a leech to identify a criminal, in what is believed to be a world forensic first.
Eight years ago, a group of thieves robbed a 71-year-old woman in her home.Eight years ago, a group of thieves robbed a 71-year-old woman in her home.
The leech sucked blood from one of the assailants, Peter Alec Cannon, and was later picked up at the crime scene by the police. Police found a leech at the crime scene and took a sample of the blood it had consumed for DNA profiling.
The DNA was stored on a database. When Cannon was charged on a drug offense last year, the sample matched up. In 2008 Peter Alec Canon was charged over a drug offence and his DNA was found to match the sample. Canon has now admitted aggravated armed robbery.
This is believed to be the first time that the lowly leech has been used in the forensic fight against crime.This is believed to be the first time that the lowly leech has been used in the forensic fight against crime.
Cannon has now pleaded guilty to aggravated armed robbery, with the leech providing incontrovertible proof of his genetic fingerprint.