One of the oldest and most disturbing unsolved cases in Bucks County – the murder of Carol Ann Dougherty – could finally be solved if science provides investigators with a break, writes JD Mullane for the Bucks County Courier Times.

The Pennsylvania State Police and the Bucks County District Attorney’s office will send DNA believed to be from the killer to a lab in Texas that specializes in solving cold case murders.

According to D.A. Jennifer Schorn, it could take up to a year for the testing and research to be completed. Even then it’s not guaranteed that the perpetrator will be identified. Still, the investigators believe that developments in forensic DNA testing along with genealogical sleuthing offer the best chance to find out who raped and strangled the nine-year-old girl at St. Mark Church in Bristol in 1962.

“We’re optimistic,” said Schorn. “And I really have to give credit to PSP (Pennsylvania State Police) for reviewing this case and keeping it alive.”

DNA testing was previously not possible due to a lack of funding, estimated at around $50,000. However, special grants and private credits from Othram labs covered the costs.

Read more about the case in the Bucks County Courier Times.