DNA clues in hunt for backpacker's killer

Two British detectives are flying to Thailand today amid speculation that a breakthrough has been made in the hunt for the killer of the backpacker Kirsty Jones.

The Dyfed Powys police officers are travelling to Chiang Mai this morning to present Thai police with the results of a series of forensic and DNA tests. They hope the new evidence will lead to the murderer of Miss Jones, 23, being arrested. The English graduate from Tredomen, near Brecon, was raped and strangled at Aree hostel in Chiang Mai on 10 August 2000.

The force confirmed yesterday that DNA profiling on items brought to Britain in October was complete and that Superintendent Steve Wilkins and Detective Inspector Steve Hughson were going to Thailand.

A Foreign Office spokesman said the visit was a "very important stage in the investigation".