A twist in the Émile affair? One year and four months after the disappearance of the little boy in the village of Vernet (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), two unknown traces of human DNA were discovered on the child’s bones and clothes, reported this Friday evening RTL. These traces, identified by the Bordeaux forensic hematology laboratory, are degraded and partial. They do not belong to Émile or a member of his family.
Experts have indicated that these DNA traces are degraded. A specialist told RTL: “With humidity and after a certain time, masks and gloves can become porous and leak cells”. Indeed, for DNA to be usable, at least ten different characteristics must be found. However, the partial samples identified only offer a small number of interpretable characteristics. This considerably broadens the range of possible matches with other genetic fingerprints and complicates analyses.
Investigators also do not rule out the hypothesis of accidental contamination. Émile’s clothes and bones were handled on numerous occasions, first when they were discovered by a hiker on March 30, 2024, then during the first series of analyzes carried out by the Gendarmerie Criminal Research Institute ( IRCGN). Despite the precautions taken by experts, indirect contamination remains possible.
The judges and investigators are continuing their investigations by broadening their research to other elements, in particular the analysis of the environment where the remains of the little boy were found, as well as the exploitation of mobile telephone data recorded nearby.
Mysteriously disappeared on July 8, 2023
Émile, aged two and a half, disappeared on July 8, 2023 in Le Vernet, a mountain village of 125 inhabitants located at an altitude of 1,200 meters, where he was staying with his maternal grandparents for the summer holidays. The Digne public prosecutor’s office opened an investigation on July 12. A few days later, a judicial investigation was entrusted to the Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône) investigation center. In mid-August, the investigation was expanded to include criminal charges for “kidnapping” and “sequestration”.
On March 30, 2024, a hiker discovered bones belonging to the child near the hamlet, and other fragments were found on April 8. The death of little Émile remains, at this stage, unexplained. No leads – accidental or criminal – have been ruled out.
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