Phoenix, AZ, November 5, 2026 — Mesa Police are employing advanced forensic techniques in an effort to crack a cold case dating back to 1988. The department has begun utilizing a new DNA collection technology known as the M-Vac system to re-examine evidence from the murder of Loretta Lynn.

The M-Vac system is designed to enhance the recovery of DNA from surfaces that may have yielded limited or degraded samples in the past. Investigators hope that by applying this technology to existing evidence, they can generate a more comprehensive DNA profile. This, in turn, could provide new leads or a definitive match, potentially bringing resolution to the decades-old investigation.

The murder of Loretta Lynn occurred in 1988. Details regarding the specific evidence being re-examined using the M-Vac technology were not immediately available. The outcome of the testing with the new system is anticipated to offer a significant advancement in the case.

Cold case investigations often rely on technological breakthroughs and renewed forensic analysis to uncover new information. The use of the M-Vac system by Mesa Police signifies a commitment to exploring all possible avenues for solving cases that have remained open for many years. The department aims to obtain a more complete DNA profile that could help identify a suspect or provide crucial links to the crime.

The M-Vac is a wet-vacuum collection device that uses a sterile solution and a specialized collection medium to lift DNA from porous and non-porous surfaces. This method is often used when traditional swabbing may not be effective. The success of this technique in the Loretta Lynn case could pave the way for its application in other unsolved investigations.


Story summarized from the original created by Courtney Johns on www.azfamily.com, see more information here.

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