Full Breakdown
Police Use Familial DNA Search to Identify Suspect in Two Alleged Rapes in South-East London
7/2/2026, 11:23:31 PM
Core Incident: Two Alleged Rapes in South-East London
Detectives are seeking relatives of a man suspected of raping two women described as “very vulnerable” in separate incidents four years apart. The first alleged assault occurred near the Thames Path in Thamesmead in May 2020. The second alleged assault took place in a derelict area on Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, in June 2024. Both incidents are being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Investigation Timeline
- May 2020 – Alleged rape near Thames Path, Thamesmead.
- June 2024 – Second alleged rape in Sewell Road, Abbey Wood; police re-release CCTV images of a man they wish to interview and begin nationwide outreach for voluntary DNA samples from relatives identified through a familial DNA list.
Familial DNA Search Process
The National Crime Agency (NCA) provided the MPS with a list of men whose DNA profiles share familial markers with the unknown suspect. Detectives are contacting these men and their relatives to request voluntary saliva samples. The aim is to narrow the pool of potential suspects by identifying a close biological relative, thereby generating a direct DNA profile of the perpetrator.
Key Agencies Involved
- Metropolitan Police Service – Leads the investigation, manages public appeals, and coordinates sample collection.
- National Crime Agency – Supplies the familial DNA list derived from the national DNA database.
- CCTV Operators – Provided footage that has been re-released to aid public identification.
Data and Evidence
- Locations: Thames Path, Thamesmead; Sewell Road, Abbey Wood.
- Timeframe: May 2020 and June 2024.
- Victim Description: Two women identified by police as “very vulnerable.”
- Evidence Types: CCTV imagery, DNA profiles from crime-scene samples, familial DNA matches from the national database.
Official Statements
The Metropolitan Police Service said it is working through a list provided by the National Crime Agency of men who share familial DNA with the suspect and is travelling the country to obtain voluntary samples from those who could be biologically related to the suspect. The force emphasized that the approach is intended to identify the attacker and bring the alleged crimes to a resolution.
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
Public sources have not disclosed the suspect’s identity, the number of relatives approached, or the outcome of any DNA testing to date. No additional details about the victims’ circumstances have been released beyond the description of vulnerability. The investigation’s progress and any potential identification remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
> “Officers are working through a list provided by the National Crime Agency of men who share familial DNA with the suspect and are travelling the country to obtain voluntary samples from those who could be biologically related to the suspect.” — Metropolitan Police Service spokesperson
What’s Next
The MPS will continue nationwide outreach for voluntary DNA samples and maintain public appeals for information. Re-released CCTV images remain available for public review, and investigators have indicated that any new leads will be pursued promptly.
