By Canadian Press

Quebec cold case murder suspect ID’d with help of DNA research tool, trial hears

Jan 30, 2024 | 11:32 AM

SAGUENAY, Que. — A forensic biologist has told a trial that a DNA research tool helped police hone in on the suspect who is now charged with the sexual assault and murder of a junior college student nearly 24 years ago.

Valérie Clermont-Beaudoin testified today at the Saguenay, Que., jury trial of Marc-André Grenon, who is charged with the first-degree murder and aggravated sexual assault of Guylaine Potvin in April 2000.

Clermont-Beaudoin said the unidentified male DNA collected at the crime scene was run through a database called “projet patronyme,” which analyzes the Y chromosomes of DNA samples and suggests surnames that could be associated with them.

She explained that Y chromosomes are passed down from father to son, as are last names in most cases, which allows biologists to identify tentative last-name matches for unknown DNA.

She said the male DNA collected under Potvin’s fingernails was entered into the database in 2022 and was found to have a very high correspondence with the last name “Grenon,” scoring 94 points of a possible 98.

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She said the information was given to police officers, who used it to focus their investigation on the suspect and gather a new DNA sample from a discarded drinking cup and straws he had used.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2024.

The Canadian Press