Rex Heuermann DNA decision is 'significant' for case: DA

(NewsNation) — Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney believes a New York judge's go-ahead to use advanced DNA evidence in their case against accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann is "significant."

Judge Tim Mazzei delivered the ruling Wednesday, ostensibly boosting the prosecution's case against Heuermann, who is accused of murdering six women from 1993 to 2011.

Tierney joined "Elizabeth Vargas Reports" following the ruling, suggesting "science was on our side."

It is the first time DNA evidence generated through whole genome sequencing has been admitted in a New York court, and one of just a handful of such instances nationwide, according to prosecutors, defense lawyers and experts.

"For criminal forensics in the court, it's new, but the forensics in our courtrooms have been lagging behind our science because when you talk about anthropology, when you talk about medical science, when you talk about gene therapy, identification of war dead and the like, this technology has been around for decades, so this is just a new application of an old science," he said.

About seven years ago, investigators turned to Astrea Forensics, a California lab using new techniques to analyze old, highly degraded DNA samples — including rootless hairs like the one discovered with victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes’ body.

Her remains were found hidden in the roadside scrub near Long Island’s Gilgo Beach in the winter of 2010.

Prior to the ruling, Heuermann’s lawyers argued that Astrea’s DNA methods hadn't been subjected to enough scrutiny, and warned they needed more evaluation because they had the potential to “dramatically reshape” how forensics is used in criminal trials.