The Journal. · Wednesday, August 12, 2026
French police have resorted to unconventional methods, including bypassing privacy laws, to solve a notorious cold case that began in 1998. The "Predator of the Woods" is believed to have committed multiple rapes over a decade, leaving DNA evidence but no matches in the French law enforcement database.
“The long saga of one of France's most notorious cold cases began in 1998.”
“In each case, the police did collect DNA. It all belonged to the same person.”
“Then, nearly 15 years later, the French police decided to do something they've never done before. Go around long-standing privacy laws to crack the case.”