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To cat-ch a killer: New pet database nabs UK murderer

Cats. Is there anything they can’t do? A database of cat hair has helped convict a killer in the UK.

BRITISH ACADEMICS SAY a newly created DNA database of British cats has helped convict a killer, illustrating how even pets’ genetic material can be a boon to forensic scientists.

The University of Leicester says its catalogue of 152 felines’ DNA buttressed the prosecution case against David Hilder, who was convicted of manslaughter last week at a court in the English city of Winchester.

Hilder killed and dismembered his neighbour, David Guy, in an English resort town last year, dumping his torso on a nearby beach, where it was discovered by students.

Cat hairs found on the torso matched Hilder’s pet, Tinker. Academics said Wednesday that they created the DNA database in an effort to show how accurate the match was.

Read: Mario Balotelli’s pet pig is now his Twitter avatar

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14 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James
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    Aug 14th 2013, 2:39 PM

    He killed and dismembered the guy and was convicted of… Manslaughter?!!

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    Mute James Murphy
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    Aug 14th 2013, 3:39 PM

    Ah he probably didn’t mean to do it.

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    Mute Daniel Wilson
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    Aug 14th 2013, 2:40 PM

    How is killing and dismemberment only manslaughter though? Damn

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    Mute Sam Rhodes
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    Aug 14th 2013, 9:07 PM

    Diminished responsibility due to mental health issues I presume.

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    Mute Mark O'Malley
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    Aug 14th 2013, 3:04 PM

    This should make criminals paws for thought !!

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    Mute Simon King
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    Aug 14th 2013, 3:50 PM

    Interesting new way of purrrrrrsuing criminals for sure

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    Mute Liam
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    Aug 14th 2013, 2:36 PM

    Yet more proof that a dog is a man’s best friend.

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    Mute Niall Sullivan
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    Aug 14th 2013, 4:59 PM

    A pussy database? How unPC.

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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Aug 14th 2013, 3:53 PM

    Puuurfect.

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    Mute Dylan_Phone
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    Aug 14th 2013, 2:41 PM

    First the came for the cats but I was not a cat.
    Then the came for the murderers but I was not a murderer.
    Then they came for me ….

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    Mute Darren Swan
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    Aug 14th 2013, 8:45 PM

    Dylan Phone home,your people are looking for you back

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Aug 15th 2013, 12:08 AM

    Step away from the phone Dylan…

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    Mute irishbinka
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    Aug 14th 2013, 6:56 PM

    Fur-tastic!

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    Mute Dexter Gordon
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    Aug 15th 2013, 12:55 AM

    Wonder how he’s feline now?

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