DNA screening of every man in ‘Midsomer Murders’ Bosham village begins

Valerie Graves was murdered with a claw hammer at house in Bosham She had been house-sitting with sister and mother in December 2013 Sister Jan found her dead in her room on December 30 Killer remains at large after extensive investigations and 9,500 interviews Police are asking all men over 17 who live or work nearby to take DNA test They say this will help eliminate as many people as possible from inquiry All DNA profiles will be destroyed if not of use to the investigation More than 50 men come forward in the first few hours of DNA testing

By Darren Boyle for MailOnline

Published: 12:02 EST, 21 January 2015 | Updated: 17:18 EST, 21 January 2015

Detectives investigating the brutal murder of a 55-year-old grandmother who was bludgeoned to death in a 'Midsomer Murders' village have begun DNA testing the entire male population.

All men aged over 17 have been invited to submit a DNA profile in a voluntary session being held in the Millstream Hotel in Bosham, West Sussex.

Police have launched a large scale manhunt for the 55-year-old's killer who still remains at large despite a 20,000 reward being offered and a Crimewatch appeal being made. Mrs Graves was killed in the 1.6 million mansion she was house sitting with her family on December 2013.

Despite interviewing more than 9,500 people, police are yet to charge any suspect with the brutal crime.

Councillor Myles Cullen, left, today was one of the first men to have his DNA taken during the mass screening by DC Lee Taylor, right, following the brutal murder of Valerie Graves in Bosham, West Sussex

Police confirmed that the DNA samples would only be used in terms of this investigation and would be destroyed immediately if the person involved has been ruled out as a suspect in the December 2013 murder

Police have also interviewed 9,500 people in relation to the investigation and posters have been placed around the village asking volunteers to come forward and be tested.

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DNA screening of every man in 'Midsomer Murders' Bosham village begins