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South Salt Lake police hope a new DNA test — one that can determine the ethnicity of a person — will help them get closer to finding Sherry Black's killer.
Police spokesman Gary Keller said detectives have known about the new technology available locally from Sorenson Forensics for awhile and are in the process of completing paperwork so a test can be done.
Black, 64, was found beaten and stabbed Nov. 30, 2010. Black and her husband, Earl Black, ran B&W Billiards and Books from a building next to their home at 3466 S. 700 East. Her husband found her body after he returned home.
In December, police disclosed an Armani Exchange belt was found beside Black's body. Photographs supplied by the police department show "AX" on the buckle and the numbers 323 on a sticker on the buckle's back side. Police said the numbers could be from a store or thrift shop.
Police also have a DNA sample supposedly left by the killer when he hurt his hand during the attack. The sample has been compared to those in law enforcement databases, but no matches have been made.
The department has no suspects and no motive in the killing, but Keller said he is hoping the new test will help investigators crack the case.