Backpacker Murder Suspect to Undergo Dna Test

A man in custody over a recent murder in Sydney is being investigated over the disappearance and suspected murder last year of English backpacker Peter Falconio.

Australian media reports said that samples of the suspect's DNA would be compared with DNA taken from the clothing of Joanne Lees, Mr Falconio's girlfriend, which is believed to be that of his attacker.

The New South Wales police minister, Michael Costa, was reported to be discussing an "exchange of forensic material" between detectives in Sydney and in Australia's Northern Territory, who are jointly investigating the suspected murder of Mr Falconio.

Police in Sydney confirmed that they were cooperating with an investigation in Australia's Northern Territory into Mr Falconio's disappearance on July 14 last year.

A Northern Territory police spokesman was unable to confirm any details about the suspect but said he was "a person of interest, like hundreds of others".

Mr Falconio, 28, and Joanne Lees are believed to have been ambushed by a gunman while driving in their camper van on the Stuart Highway north of Alice Springs last July.

Ms Lees, from Almondbury, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, told police that the attacker tied her up but that she managed to struggle free and escape into the bush, where she hid for six hours while he searched for her with his dog.

She said she heard a gunshot and police have been working on the theory that the hijacker murdered Mr Falconio, from Hepworth, near Huddersfield, and dumped his body.

His disappearance sparked one of Australia's biggest manhunts, but police were unable to find Mr Falconio's body and have made no arrests.

Police sealed roads, scoured the state on motorcycles and helicopters and employed Aboriginal trackers in the hunt for clues.

Ms Lees returned to England last year.