DNA helps crack cold case

By: Bryan Hahn

A cold case for Lompoc detectives turns into a cold catch, after a rape suspect evaded authorities for more than six years.

The man who Lompoc police said sexually assaulted a 51-year-old woman and attempted to rape a 49-year-old is Derek Buncom, who is now behind bars.

"In both of those cases we were able to obtain DNA samples, and we were able to determine the DNA was the same in both cases," said Bill Brown, Lompoc police chief.

However, investigators were not able to identify who committed the crimes, so they put the samples into a California DNA database, but still nothing came up.

"It was a cold case hit," Brown said.

And then 2002 rolled around, when a national DNA database was established. Every suspect who commits a felony can be uploaded into the system.

"He was in custody in Alaska for a burglary charge," said Brown.

When Alaskan authorities uploaded Buncom's DNA in 2005, it was exactly what Lompoc police needed to extradite the suspect.

"This case underscores the fact that DNA fingerprinting is one of the most revolutionary accomplishments in forensic science and in law enforcement," Brown said.

As a result, Buncom faces 12 counts ranging from rape, to burglary, to assault with a deadly weapon.

"DNA is a great tool because it not only allows us to identify the suspect, it allows us to eliminate from our investigation suspicion on a crime, and positively identify someone who is responsible for such a vicious crime," said Brown.

Authorities said the two victims are living in Lompoc, and were relieved to find out an arrest was finally made.