Forensic examination of DNA samples extracted from a car possibly linked to the abduction of Bathurst woman Janine Vaughan is still under way, and police remain tight-lipped about when they expect any results.
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Almost two years ago, when the reward for information related to the case was raised to $1 million, police attached to the homicide unit said they were using familial DNA searches on a small red vehicle which had been seized by police as part of their investigation into Ms Vaughan's abduction.
At the time, homicide squad commander Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said very weak DNA had been recovered from the vehicle which forensic experts were examining using partial and familial DNA searches.
Familial DNA searching uses complex technology to identify potential relatives who have provided their DNA to an existing database. The closer the biological relationship, the greater the chance that a relative will be identified.
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It has recently helped in a long-term missing persons case on the NSW North Coast when investigators and forensic DNA experts discovered that a jawbone found on a beach a decade ago belonged to a mariner lost at sea off the North Coast in 1979.
While confirming the technique was being used in Ms Vaughan's long-running case, police chose not to comment on the specifics of the matter, instead saying "inquiries were continuing".
They also said "no further updates on her case" were available.
A spokesperson for NSW Police said the investigation remained open and a team of investigators was continuing to explore lines of inquiry and persons of interest in an effort to find out what happened to Ms Vaughan.
Janine Vaughan, 31, was last seen getting into a small red vehicle in Keppel Street in the early hours of December 7, 2001, after a night out.
Information suggests someone in the community knows something and police are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A $1 million reward for information still stands.