DNA Is A Test For Koh Tao Case

KOH TAO: 200 samples have brought cops no closer to killers, writes Wassayos Ngamkham.

As the number of DNA tests on suspects in the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao exceeds 200, doubts have been raised as to whether the tests are leading investigators any closer to the killers.

On Thursday, investigators submitted a report to deputy police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpanmuang saying 209 DNA samples from 179 people, and other material evidence, had been collected for examination. The results are expected today.

However, forensic experts and Royal Thai Police adviser Jarumporn Suramanee said DNA tests alone could not lead to a solution.

He said the tests are just a way to solve the missing links of a murder case.

"It [DNA examination] is just a piece of the jigsaw leading to the murderer," said Pol Gen Jarumporn.

Police investigators can only see the whole picture of the crime if they piece together all the witness accounts, evidence and the environment where the killing took place.

It is a task that requires keen observation and patience, he said.

In his view, however, DNA tests of more than 200 samples were "too many", particularly when taking the cost of lab tests into account.

Authorities have spent more than 860,000 baht on the DNA tests, but the results have yet to lead to the killer.

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DNA Is A Test For Koh Tao Case