Subtitles section
Repeat sentence
Subtitles mode
Full screen
Previous
Next
x 1.0
Playback speed
More

DNA technology helps track down lawyer accused of Boston rapes

Video vocabulary

the

Copy vocabulary

US / ðə /

UK / ðə /

A1
  • article
  • Used to refer to something already mentioned
  • Used to show there is only one of something
  • determiner
  • Used to describe all of a family

be

Copy vocabulary

US / bɪ /

UK / bi /

A1
  • verb
  • Being

and

Copy vocabulary

US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to refer to two or more things
  • Plus; in addition; on top of that
  • Used to introduce an action that follows another

that

Copy vocabulary

US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • The person or thing being talked about
  • Used to identify something both the speakers know
  • adverb
  • Used to reinforce adjectives and adverbs
  • To such a degree
  • conjunction
  • Used to connect a noun clause
  • Used to introduce an adverbial clause
  • Used to introduce a noun clause
  • determiner
  • Used as a noun to refer to something
  • pronoun
  • Referring an object far away
  • Used to refer to the relative pronoun ‘which’

have

Copy vocabulary

US / həv /

UK / hæv /

A1
  • verb
  • To drink, smoke, eat or use something
  • To experience the effects of something
  • To organize an event, or join in an activity
  • To own, possess, or hold something
  • To cause to happen or produce a particular effect

not

Copy vocabulary

US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Word indicating the negative
  • (Used to form the negative of verbs)

for

Copy vocabulary

US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

A1
  • preposition
  • Used to show the purpose, or need of something

you

Copy vocabulary

US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person someone is speaking or writing to
  • Person or people in general

this

Copy vocabulary

US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to indicate something already been discussed
  • Used to indicate something happening around now
  • adverb
  • An indication by a physical motion or gesture
  • A specific amount of
  • determiner
  • Person, thing, or idea near you
  • pronoun
  • Person, thing that has already been discussed

with

Copy vocabulary

US / wɪð /

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

A1
  • preposition
  • As an employee of a certain company
  • Against something or someone
  • By using something as a means
  • Due to; because of
  • Including
  • Possessing as a feature
  • Related to
  • (Of the manner/attitude by which you do something)
  • Used to express that people or things are together

get

Copy vocabulary

US / ɡet /

UK / ɡɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To become affected by illness or disease
  • To begin to feel or understand an emotion or idea
  • To send or bring someone or something home, etc.
  • To go somewhere to obtain something
  • To (cause to) do a particular thing
  • To obtain, receive or be given something
  • To currently have
  • To prepare for use
  • To understand something being said or read

but

Copy vocabulary

US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used before you say something different, opposite

can

Copy vocabulary

US / kæn /

UK / kən,kæn /

A1
  • noun
  • A metal container for storing food
  • other
  • Able to; have the skill to; have the time to
  • verb
  • To have permission to
  • To be possible to do
  • To preserve food by sealing it in a metal container

they

Copy vocabulary

US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Two or more people, animals, or things

just

Copy vocabulary

US / dʒʌst /

UK / dʒʌst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Proper or appropriate; as is deserved
  • Doing or being what is right or fair
  • Legally correct; having enough evidence
  • adverb
  • Almost; nearly
  • Exactly at the time of
  • Exactly (the same as, like)

all

Copy vocabulary

US / ɔ:l /

UK / ɔl /

A1
  • adverb
  • Completely; totally
  • determiner
  • Being every one of something
  • pronoun
  • 100% of something; the complete amount

do

Copy vocabulary

US / du: /

UK / du /

A1
  • other
  • Question words for 'do' verbs
  • verb
  • To act; to perform actions
  • To be enough; to be acceptable
  • To have a certain effect on something or someone

like

Copy vocabulary

US / laɪk /

UK / laɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in status or kind to something else
  • Similar; the same
  • adverb
  • For example
  • preposition
  • Used as a filler; used to ad emphasis
  • In a way similar to the way something is done
  • Such as; for example
  • verb
  • To want to
  • To find something pleasing; to prefer something

will

Copy vocabulary

US / wɪl /

UK / wɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Desire or choice of someone
  • Document saying who gets your money when you die
  • Strong desire to do something; determination
  • Desire to do something; strong wish to do
  • other
  • Used with verbs to express the future
  • verb
  • To leave property to someone after your death
  • To use mental effort to make something happen
  • Am (is, are) likely to do
  • To influence someone to do something
  • To make something happen by strongly wanting it

go

Copy vocabulary

US / ɡəʊ /

UK / ɡo /

A1
  • noun
  • A turn in a game
  • verb
  • To attend or be at a place
  • To do an activity
  • To function properly
  • To move or travel to another place

one

Copy vocabulary

US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to people generally
  • Being a strong example of (something mentioned)
  • number
  • Number 1
  • pronoun
  • You; we; people in general; someone
  • The thing or person previously referred to

there

Copy vocabulary

US / ðɛə /

UK / ðɛr /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to illustrate the existence of something
  • In a particular respect
  • In that place or position, at that location

out

Copy vocabulary

US / aʊt /

UK / aʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • No longer stylish (e.g. fashion)
  • Away from home, business, or the usual place
  • In a direction/movement away from inside or center
  • noun
  • Act when a batter cannot continue playing
  • verb
  • To tell people a secret

from

Copy vocabulary

US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

A1
  • preposition
  • Starting at a particular place, time or level

make

Copy vocabulary

US / meɪk /

UK / mek /

A1
  • noun
  • Product made by a particular company; brand
  • verb
  • To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
  • To get to (a place) on time
  • To gain the status of (teacher, lawyer, etc.)
  • To create something by putting things together
  • To earn a certain amount of money at a job
  • To cause or force a person to do something
  • To cause something to happen or be formed

think

Copy vocabulary

US / θɪŋk /

UK / θɪŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To have an idea about something without certainty
  • To have an idea, opinion or belief about something

time

Copy vocabulary

US / taɪm /

UK / taɪm /

A1
  • noun
  • Speed at which music is played; tempo
  • Point as shown on a clock, e.g. 3 p.m
  • Number of hours, minutes needed to do something
  • Occasion when something happens
  • Period or occasion that something occurred
  • Period in history or the past
  • Something measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.
  • How long an event takes; duration
  • verb
  • To check speed at which music is performed
  • To choose a specific moment to do something
  • To measure how long an event takes, e.g. a race
  • To schedule something to occur at a specific moment

more

Copy vocabulary

US / mɔ:(r) /

UK / mɔr, mor /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In addition; extra
  • Greater in amount, number, or size
  • adverb
  • To a greater degree; in greater quantity
  • For a longer period of time
  • determiner
  • Additional quantity
  • pronoun
  • A greater or additional number

when

Copy vocabulary

US / wen /

UK / wɛn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or during the time something happens
  • adverb
  • Word you use to ask about the time, or day
  • conjunction
  • Although
  • In the event that; if
  • pronoun
  • Which time

would

Copy vocabulary

US / wʊd /

UK / wʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate something imagined
  • Used to ask or request something politely
  • Verb used to indicate possibility, request etc.
  • Used to indicate a preference
  • Used to indicate a reaction
  • Indicates something that occurred repeatedly
  • Used to indicate willingness or ability to do

now

Copy vocabulary

US / naʊ /

UK / naʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At the present time or moment
  • Right away or in the next possible moment
  • Used to refer to something that just happened
  • Time between the present and a moment in the past
  • conjunction
  • Resulting from or because of something

some

Copy vocabulary

US / səm /

UK / sʌm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Remarkable; very good (or very bad) in a way
  • Concerning a certain unclear degree, quantity
  • determiner
  • Used to refer to an unspecified amount or number
  • pronoun
  • Number of persons, things in a group, but not all

here

Copy vocabulary

US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

A1
  • adverb
  • In this place; at this location, position or time

look

Copy vocabulary

US / lʊk /

UK / lʊk /

A1
  • noun
  • Person's beauty or physical attractiveness
  • Particular style of dress, clothes, or appearance
  • The way someone, something appears to be
  • Act of searching for or examining something
  • verb
  • To appear to be; seem

say

Copy vocabulary

US / seɪ /

UK / se /

A1
  • noun
  • Power to decide or greatly influence something
  • verb
  • To indicate or give information using language
  • To use words to tell your message
  • To ask someone to give information to others

how

Copy vocabulary

US / haʊ /

UK / haʊ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To what degree? in what amount?
  • adverb
  • (Used to explain the way to do something)
  • exclamation
  • For what purpose or reason?
  • (Used to ask someone or something's condition)

then

Copy vocabulary

US / ðen /

UK / ðɛn /

A1
  • adverb
  • A time that is not now
  • Following another thing in time or arrangement
  • Following on reasonably from what was just stated
  • At that time, not now

these

Copy vocabulary

US / ði:z /

UK / ðiz /

A1
  • determiner
  • People, things, or ideas near you
  • pronoun
  • The objects near the speaker

into

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɪntə /

UK / ˈɪntu /

A1
  • preposition
  • Moving or going inside something
  • In the same direction as; in the direction of
  • So as to become; taking the state of

well

Copy vocabulary

US / wel /

UK / wɛl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being in a fortunate, good condition or state
  • Healthy and in good condition
  • adverb
  • In an acceptable, proper, or successful manner
  • In a complete, total, or full manner
  • A great and considerable degree
  • In a successful way, in a good or satisfactory way
  • exclamation
  • Used to begin or continue a particular statement
  • Used to show you want to start saying something
  • Used to express that you are waiting for a reply
  • You say this to change the topic of a conversation
  • Used to indicate you are making a final remark
  • noun
  • Long deep hole in the ground to get water
  • verb
  • To cause your eyes to fill with tears

where

Copy vocabulary

US / hwɛə /

UK / hwɛr, wɛr /

A1
  • conjunction
  • At or in the place which
  • In whatever place
  • pronoun
  • Word you use to ask the location of something

people

Copy vocabulary

US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

A1
  • noun
  • Persons sharing culture, country, background, etc.
  • Men, Women, Children

need

Copy vocabulary

US / ni:d /

UK / nid /

A1
  • noun
  • Thing you must have and cannot not have e.g. air
  • Thing you must have and cannot manage without
  • verb
  • To be unable to manage without something; require

try

Copy vocabulary

US / traɪ /

UK / traɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of putting the ball over the rugby goal line
  • verb
  • To make an effort, to attempt to do something
  • To examine someone or something in a court of law
  • To test to see if it is good or you like it
  • To make a person go through hardship; test
  • To examine something to see if it works

use

Copy vocabulary

US / ju:s /

UK / ju:s /

A1
  • noun
  • Ability to employ something
  • Need to enable it to work
  • Permission to do something with something
  • Act of spending money
  • Operation of a machine for its function
  • verb
  • To have; to eat, drink, consume etc.
  • To need to operate or work
  • To operate a machine, e.g. a computer
  • To treat a person badly
  • To do something with, for a task or purpose

than

Copy vocabulary

US / ðən /

UK / ðən /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to compare two things that are not equal

only

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈəunli /

UK / ˈonli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Just one; just that amount or thing; not more than
  • Not very important or serious
  • Just that type of thing, person
  • Short time ago; not before a certain time
  • conjunction
  • Except; but

off

Copy vocabulary

US / ɒf /

UK / ɔ:f /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of event) canceled; no longer occurring
  • Not having on; not wearing
  • Being somewhat wrong
  • adverb
  • Separated, removed, or away from a place or route
  • (Of a machine) no longer turned on or operating
  • (Of light, computer) no longer attached/connected
  • Far away in terms of time or space
  • preposition
  • Away or free from work
  • (Of foods, drink) old and bad to eat, drink
  • Extending or leading from something
  • No longer in or on some transport or vehicle

his

Copy vocabulary

US / hɪz /

UK / hɪz /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Something belonging to a male person

new

Copy vocabulary

US / nju: /

UK / nu, nju /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not old, recently born, built or made
  • Being or doing something for the first time
  • Not felt, seen or known previously
  • Having been recently bought or obtained

year

Copy vocabulary

US / jə: /

UK / jɪr /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of time equal to 12 months or 365 or 366 days
  • Used to refer to the age of a person

talk

Copy vocabulary

US / tɔ:k /

UK / tɔk /

A1
  • noun
  • Style of speaking
  • Discussion between two countries
  • Giving information in front of people; lecture
  • Saying things or ideas to someone with words
  • verb
  • To make a formal speech about something
  • To say things or ideas to someone with words

guy

Copy vocabulary

US / ɡaɪ /

UK / ɡaɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Man; boy; any person

last

Copy vocabulary

US / lɑ:st /

UK / læst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Most recent; the latest
  • The one before
  • adverb
  • Final; with nothing following; after all others
  • Most recent; the latest
  • determiner
  • The one at the end
  • verb
  • To remain or continue for a certain period of time

happen

Copy vocabulary

US / 'hæpən /

UK / ˈhæpən /

A1
  • verb
  • To take place or occur

after

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɑ:ftə(r) /

UK / ˈæftɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Later than another time, or behind something
  • conjunction
  • Following something before
  • preposition
  • When an event happened or time has passed

he

Copy vocabulary

US / hɪ /

UK / hi /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Object form of a male person you are talking about
  • Refer to a person whose sex is not stated or known

same

Copy vocabulary

US / seɪm /

UK / sem /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in quality and amount
  • Identical; not different
  • Not changing; constant

she

Copy vocabulary

US / ʃɪ /

UK / ʃi /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Female person or animal mentioned before
  • (Refers to female person mentioned before)

three

Copy vocabulary

US / θri: /

UK / θri /

A1
  • number
  • Number 3

help

Copy vocabulary

US / help /

UK / hɛlp /

A1
  • noun
  • Something given to enable a person to do something
  • Assistance given to someone in need
  • Someone who makes something easier or possible
  • verb
  • To act to enable a person to do something; assist
  • To make something better or less difficult

today

Copy vocabulary

US / tə'deɪ /

UK / təˈde /

A1
  • adverb
  • On this day; at the time that is happening now
  • noun
  • This day; day that is happening now

ever

Copy vocabulary

US / 'evə(r) /

UK / ˈɛvɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At any time; at all times in the future

move

Copy vocabulary

US / mu:v /

UK / muv /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of moving a playing piece in chess, etc.
  • An action; doing something
  • Step taken to achieve a goal
  • verb
  • To cause someone to have certain emotions
  • To cause something to change to a different place
  • To change where people live or a business operates
  • To take action to do or achieve something

away

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'weɪ /

UK / əˈwe /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not present
  • adverb
  • Disappear completely
  • Doing something with a lot of energy
  • Not here; far from here; in a different direction
  • To a different area, location

already

Copy vocabulary

US / ɔ:lˈredi /

UK / ɔlˈrɛdi /

A1
  • adverb
  • Having happened or been done before this time

few

Copy vocabulary

US / fju: /

UK / fju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Not many, a small number

hope

Copy vocabulary

US / həʊp /

UK / hop /

A1
  • noun
  • When you wish something will happen; what you wish
  • verb
  • To expect and want something to happen

become

Copy vocabulary

US / bɪ'kʌm /

UK / bɪˈkʌm /

A1
  • verb
  • To begin to be; grow to be; develop into
  • To be suitable for a particular job or role

may

Copy vocabulary

US / meɪ /

UK / me /

A1
  • noun
  • 5th month of the year
  • other
  • Used to express a desire
  • Expresses permission, possibility or probability
  • Used to show that a thing could be true

four

Copy vocabulary

US / fɔ:(r) /

UK / fɔr, for /

A1
  • number
  • 4

seem

Copy vocabulary

US / si:m /

UK / sim /

A1
  • verb
  • To appear to be something

without

Copy vocabulary

US / wɪˈðaʊt /

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

A1
  • preposition
  • Not with; not having

week

Copy vocabulary

US / wi:k /

UK / wik /

A1
  • noun
  • Period of seven days from Sunday to Saturday

face

Copy vocabulary

US / feɪs /

UK / fes /

A1
  • noun
  • Side or outer surface of something
  • An expression using mouth, nose, eyes etc.
  • Front part of the head where eyes, mouth etc. are
  • Characteristics you show in public
  • verb
  • To cover a surface with something like paint
  • To deal with a problem or responsibilities
  • To look toward; point in a certain direction

hand

Copy vocabulary

US / hænd /

UK / hænd /

A1
  • noun
  • Cards given to a player in a card game
  • Piece of a clock that points to the time
  • Someone who performs physical tasks or work
  • Body part at the end of a person's arm
  • Help for someone performing a particular action
  • Condition of having power or influence
  • Member of the crew of a ship
  • verb
  • To give something to someone personally

open

Copy vocabulary

US / 'əʊpən /

UK / ˈopən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Available for use; accessible
  • Not being hidden; available for others to see
  • Being available for customers to enter or use
  • Allowing everyone to use or take part in
  • Not secret anymore
  • Not closed or shut
  • Willing to accept new ideas and thoughts
  • noun
  • Name for a tennis or golf competition
  • verb
  • To make accessible or able to be used, e.g. road
  • To start the activities or services of a business
  • To make a space or hole appear in something
  • To move or change so that it is no longer closed
  • To start something, e.g. a new business

learn

Copy vocabulary

US / lɜ:n /

UK / lɚn /

A1
  • verb
  • To get knowledge or skills by study or experience

until

Copy vocabulary

US / ənˈtɪl /

UK / ʌnˈtɪl /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Up to; to a time when something happens
  • preposition
  • Before (a specific time)

small

Copy vocabulary

US / smɔ:l /

UK / smɔl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Little in size; not big
  • (Of letters) not written in capital letters
  • Being insignificant or minor
  • (Of a business) with few people or things; local
  • (Of voice) being soft and quiet
  • (Of a child) being young

under

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈʌndə(r) /

UK / ˈʌndɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In the same place as another thing, but lower
  • adverb
  • In a lower quantity or price than expected
  • preposition
  • According to the terms of an agreement or law
  • Managed or controlled by the authority of
  • Being of a lesser quality or amount than expected
  • Influenced or affected by something or someone
  • Less or lower in age, amount, size or number

against

Copy vocabulary

US / əˈgenst /

UK / əˈɡenst /

A1
  • preposition
  • In physical contact with, as for support; next to
  • In opposition to; disagreeing with

half

Copy vocabulary

US / hɑ:f /

UK / hæf, hɑf /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not complete
  • adverb
  • Partly; somewhat
  • noun
  • One of two equal periods of game time in a sport
  • The part you get when one is divided into two;

case

Copy vocabulary

US / keɪs /

UK / kes /

A1
  • noun
  • Container used to carry things, e.g. clothes
  • Set of facts about a crime
  • Set of facts about an event
  • Example or instance of something
  • verb
  • To find out about a place, as in planning to steal

month

Copy vocabulary

US / mʌnθ /

UK / mʌnθ /

A1
  • noun
  • One of 12 28-31 day periods in the year

order

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɔ:də(r) /

UK / ˈɔrdɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Religious or social group, as of nuns
  • Instructions to others to do what you want
  • State in which things are neat and organized
  • What you ask to buy, e.g. food in restaurant
  • Social or political control of an area
  • verb
  • To put things in a sequence, e.g. a, b, c
  • To give instructions to others to do what you want
  • To ask for something you want to buy, e.g. a meal

million

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈmɪljən /

UK / ˈmɪljən /

A1
  • number
  • 1,000,000

grow

Copy vocabulary

US / ɡrəʊ /

UK / ɡro /

A1
  • verb
  • To get bigger and more mature; make plants do this
  • To improve; to develop better skills over time
  • To develop and become bigger or taller over time

eye

Copy vocabulary

US / aɪ /

UK / aɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • The part of the body that you see with
  • The skill to see the good and bad parts of a thing
  • Hole at the end of a needle
  • verb
  • To watch or study something closely

fight

Copy vocabulary

US / faɪt /

UK / faɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • An argument or quarrel
  • Act of trying to hurt someone by hitting them
  • A struggle to do a difficult task
  • verb
  • To argue or quarrel with someone about something
  • To try to hurt someone by hitting them
  • To struggle to do a difficult task

drive

Copy vocabulary

US / draɪv /

UK / draɪv /

A1
  • noun
  • A person's ambition and motivation to do something
  • Action of moving cattle from one place to another
  • A part of a computer which stores the data
  • A trip by car
  • Power to move or operate an engine, car, etc.
  • Action of hitting a golf ball
  • Hard area where cars are parked leading to a house
  • verb
  • To move cattle from one place to another
  • To control a vehicle so that it moves somewhere
  • To force to go somewhere, or do or be something
  • To give power to move or operate an engine, etc.
  • To hit a golf ball
  • To push or hit an object into something else

along

Copy vocabulary

US / əˈlɒŋ /

UK / əˈlɔ:ŋ /

A1
  • adverb
  • As a companion; taken with someone
  • preposition
  • At a point on a line

ago

Copy vocabulary

US / əˈgəʊ /

UK / əˈgoʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a specified length of time in the past

possible

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈpɒsəbl /

UK / ˈpɑsəbəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being able or appropriate for a task or purpose
  • Having a chance of happening, or being true

car

Copy vocabulary

US / kɑ:(r) /

UK / kɑr /

A1
  • noun
  • A vehicle with wheels and engine to carry people

wear

Copy vocabulary

US / weə(r) /

UK / wer /

A1
  • noun
  • Clothing designed for a purpose e.g. skiing
  • Damage from continual use over a long period
  • verb
  • To have clothes, glasses, shoes etc. on your body
  • To display an expression or emotion on the face
  • To become weaker or damaged from continued use

system

Copy vocabulary

US / 'sɪstəm /

UK / ˈsɪstəm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Working in an organized, logical way
  • noun
  • Set of organized, planned ideas that work together

finally

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈfaɪnəli /

UK / ˈfaɪnəli /

A1
  • adverb
  • used especially at the beginning of a sentence to introduce the last point or idea
  • After a long time or some difficulty

news

Copy vocabulary

US / nju:z /

UK / nu:z /

A1
  • noun
  • Broadcast on radio or TV about recent events
  • Information about recent events

challenge

Copy vocabulary

US / 'tʃælɪndʒ /

UK / ˈtʃæləndʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • An activity you wish to try that may be hard to do
  • Act of formally inviting someone to compete
  • A question to determine correctness of something
  • verb
  • To formally invite someone to compete at something
  • To question the correctness of something

woman

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈwʊmən /

UK / ˈwʊmən /

A1
  • noun
  • Adult female human being

imagine

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪ'mædʒɪn /

UK / ɪˈmædʒɪn /

A1
  • verb
  • To think creatively about; form mental picture of

morning

Copy vocabulary

US / 'mɔ:nɪŋ /

UK / ˈmɔrnɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Early part of the day before 12 p.m

explain

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪk'spleɪn /

UK / ɪkˈsplen /

A1
  • verb
  • To make clear or easy to understand by describing

ground

Copy vocabulary

US / graʊnd /

UK / ɡraʊnd /

A1
  • noun
  • Connection of electrical equipment to earth
  • Place where people play particular sports
  • Solid surface of the earth that we stand on
  • verb
  • To break (coffee, etc.) into tiny bits with machine
  • To make loud jarring noise by pressing hard
  • To make sharp or smooth through friction
  • To press together with force making a sound
  • To punish someone by not allowing them to go out
  • To hit the bottom
  • (Of boat) to hit the bottom so it cannot move
  • To prevent a plane from taking off
  • To place the ball over the goal line in rugby

offer

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɒfə(r) /

UK / ˈɔfɚ, ˈɑfɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Price you say you are willing to pay for something
  • Act of making a thing available to be accepted
  • verb
  • To suggest a price you are willing to pay
  • To give the opportunity to accept something
  • To say you are willing to do something
  • To give or say something as an act of worship

anymore

Copy vocabulary

US / 'enɪmɔ: /

UK / ˌɛniˈmɔr, -ˈmor /

A2
  • adverb
  • No longer; no more

attack

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'tæk /

UK / əˈtæk /

A2
  • noun
  • Act intended to hurt someone physically, mentally
  • verb
  • To try to destroy, beat, or injure

several

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈsevrəl /

UK / ˈsɛvərəl,ˈsɛvrəl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Many of
  • pronoun
  • More than two but not a large amount

match

Copy vocabulary

US / mætʃ /

UK / mætʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Something that is equal to or the same as another
  • Small stick you strike to light a fire candle etc.
  • A sports competition between two people or teams
  • Person or thing that goes well with another
  • verb
  • To equal or be as good as something else
  • To work well or look good with something else

grab

Copy vocabulary

US / ɡræb /

UK / ɡræb /

A2
  • verb
  • To take and hold something quickly

drink

Copy vocabulary

US / drɪŋk /

UK / drɪŋk /

A1
  • noun
  • A liquid that you put in your mouth
  • verb
  • To put water in your body through your mouth

appear

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'pɪə(r) /

UK / əˈpɪr /

A1
  • verb
  • To be seen, become visible; come into sight
  • To seem to be
  • To act in a play, movie, or be mentioned in media

incredible

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪnˈkredəbl /

UK / ɪnˈkrɛdəbəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very good; amazing
  • Really good; amazing; great
  • Very hard to believe

street

Copy vocabulary

US / stri:t /

UK / strit /

A1
  • noun
  • Road in a city with buildings and places to walk

tonight

Copy vocabulary

US / təˈnaɪt /

UK / təˈnaɪt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Night following this day
  • noun
  • This evening; the night of today

dollar

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈdɒlə(r) /

UK / ˈdɑ:lə(r) /

A1
  • noun
  • A basic unit of money equal to 100 cent

cold

Copy vocabulary

US / kəʊld /

UK / kold /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having a very low temperature
  • Being unfriendly or lacking emotion
  • noun
  • Illness of sneezing, coughing, and a sore throat

practice

Copy vocabulary

US / 'præktɪs /

UK / ˈpræktɪs /

A2
  • noun
  • The office and place for legal or medical work
  • Doing something many times to become better at it
  • verb
  • To work as a doctor or lawyer
  • To live according to the teachings of a religion
  • To do something many times to improve a skill

ride

Copy vocabulary

US / raɪd /

UK / raɪd /

A1
  • noun
  • Machine at an amusement park for riding on for fun
  • Trip on a bicycle or a horse
  • verb
  • To travel in a particular vehicle as a passenger
  • To sit on and control a horse or vehicle

popular

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈpɒpjələ(r) /

UK / ˈpɑ:pjələ(r) /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Liked or enjoyed by many people

wide

Copy vocabulary

US / waɪd /

UK / waɪd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having a great distance from one side to the other
  • adverb
  • Fully; completely

student

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈstju:dnt /

UK / ˈstudnt, ˈstjud- /

A1
  • noun
  • Person studying at school

decade

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈdekeɪd /

UK / ˈdɛkˌed, dɛˈked /

B1
  • noun
  • Period of 10 years

avoid

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'vɔɪd /

UK / əˈvɔɪd /

A2
  • verb
  • To prevent from happening
  • To stay away from

knock

Copy vocabulary

US / nɒk /

UK / nɑk /

A2
  • noun
  • Bad experience that reduces a person's confidence
  • Action of something solid hitting something hard
  • verb
  • To criticize someone in an unreasonable way
  • To hit something to get people's attention
  • To strike something hard, causing damage

technology

Copy vocabulary

US / tek'nɒlədʒɪ /

UK / tɛkˈnɑlədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Use or knowledge of science in industry etc.

tool

Copy vocabulary

US / tu:l /

UK / tul /

A2
  • noun
  • Device used to make things, e.g. a hammer
  • verb
  • To provide a workshop with the right equipment

police

Copy vocabulary

US / pəˈli:s /

UK / pəˈlis /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the police and its business
  • noun
  • People, often in uniforms, who solve crimes
  • verb
  • To control an area, or group with a police force

discover

Copy vocabulary

US / dɪˈskʌvə(r) /

UK / dɪˈskʌvɚ /

A2
  • verb
  • To find something new that was not known before

search

Copy vocabulary

US / sɜ:tʃ /

UK / sɜ:rtʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Examination of person to find something
  • Action to find an answer to a problem
  • Action of trying to find someone or something
  • verb
  • To examine a person's clothing to find something
  • To look for an answer or explanation to a problem
  • To look carefully for someone or something

law

Copy vocabulary

US / lɔ: /

UK / lɔ /

A1
  • noun
  • Field of study that relates to the legal profession
  • A rule made and enforced by a government
  • System or rules made by the government

website

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈwebsaɪt /

UK / 'websaɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • Collection of webpages in one location

zero

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈzɪərəʊ /

UK / ˈzɪroʊ /

A1
  • noun
  • Temperature when water turns to ice
  • number
  • Number 0
  • verb
  • To set a scale or other device to show 0

fourth

Copy vocabulary

US / fɔ:θ /

UK / fɔ:rθ /

A1
  • noun
  • 4th

cup

Copy vocabulary

US / kʌp /

UK / kʌp /

A1
  • noun
  • Small round container used for drinking
  • Silver trophy teams compete to win
  • Unit of measurement for foods or liquids
  • verb
  • To make the shape of a bowl with your hands

court

Copy vocabulary

US / kɔ:t /

UK / kɔrt, kort /

A2
  • noun
  • Place king or queen meet people, makes laws etc.
  • Place where legal cases are decided
  • Large, flat area, to play tennis or basketball
  • verb
  • To act in a way to shows you wish to marry someone
  • To encourage dangerous behavior
  • To pay attention to someone to get their support

crack

Copy vocabulary

US / kræk /

UK / kræk /

B1
  • noun
  • Attempt to achieve a goal or objective
  • Unexpected and hard hit to the body
  • Joke or impolite comment about something
  • Sound that is short, unexpected and loud
  • Small gap between two things or parts of things
  • verb
  • To attempt to achieve a goal or objective
  • To hit someone or something hard and unexpectedly
  • To tell (a joke)
  • To solve a challenging problem or mystery
  • To make a sound that is short, unexpected and loud
  • To lose control, e.g. under pressure; break down
  • To break so lines appear, but it is not in pieces

glass

Copy vocabulary

US / ɡlɑ:s /

UK / ɡlæs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being made of glass
  • noun
  • Clear hard container used for drinking
  • A lens for eyewear
  • Hard see-through material used for making windows

judge

Copy vocabulary

US / dʒʌdʒ /

UK / dʒʌdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who decides on the results of a contest
  • Person who has the power to make a decision
  • verb
  • To reach a decision about who won a contest
  • To form an opinion after careful consideration
  • To make a decision in court

evidence

Copy vocabulary

US / 'evɪdəns /

UK / ˈɛvɪdəns /

A1
  • noun
  • Factual proof that helps to establish the truth

college

Copy vocabulary

US / 'kɒlɪdʒ /

UK / 'kɑːlɪdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • School or educational institution for adults

expert

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ekspɜ:t /

UK / ˈɛkˌspɚt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Having special knowledge or skill
  • noun
  • Skillful person with special knowledge

cash

Copy vocabulary

US / kæʃ /

UK / kæʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Physical money (not credit card or digital)
  • verb
  • To sell or give something to get money

trial

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈtraɪəl /

UK / ˈtraɪəl, traɪl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being made or done as a test or experiment
  • noun
  • Hearing and judgment of a case in court
  • Act or process of testing or experimenting
  • verb
  • To be made or done as a test or experiment

pool

Copy vocabulary

US / pu:l /

UK / pul /

A2
  • noun
  • Amount collected, e.g. money, for some purpose
  • Small body of still water
  • Game of hitting balls on a table with long sticks
  • Small area of water for swimming bound by walls
  • verb
  • (Of a liquid) to collect into a small area
  • To make a collection of (resources, money etc.)

victim

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈvɪktɪm /

UK / ˈvɪktɪm /

B1
  • noun
  • Person/thing affected by an unpleasant event
  • Person/animal killed and offered as a sacrifice
  • Person feeling helpless in times of bad luck
  • Person who is tricked or made to suffer

justice

Copy vocabulary

US / 'dʒʌstɪs /

UK / ˈdʒʌstɪs /

A2
  • noun
  • Quality of being fair, equal, or just
  • Person in a court who judges criminal cases

york

Copy vocabulary

US / jɔ:k /

UK / jɔrk /

A1
  • proper noun
  • A city in northern England, on the Ouse River; population 136,900 (est. 2009).
  • A commercial and industrial city in southeastern Pennsylvania; population 40,097 (est. 2008).
  • The southwestern tip of Hayes Peninsula, on Baffin Bay in Greenland. It served as a base for US expl

knife

Copy vocabulary

US / naɪf /

UK / naɪf /

A1
  • noun
  • Long piece of metal you use for cutting things
  • verb
  • To attack someone with a sharp long blade
  • To move through something easily and quickly

flash

Copy vocabulary

US / flæʃ /

UK / flæʃ /

B1
  • noun
  • Sudden and brief appearance of something
  • Light used by a camera to brighten the area
  • Sudden feeling, idea or occurrence
  • Publicly exposing your genitals to others
  • Sudden bright light
  • Showing something very quickly and briefly
  • Light used in the dark, powered by batteries
  • verb
  • To appear suddenly and briefly
  • To publicly expose your genitals to others
  • To shine brightly very suddenly and briefly
  • To show something very quickly and briefly

suspect

Copy vocabulary

US / sə'spekt /

UK / səˈspɛkt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Of a thing) causing doubt; suspicious
  • noun
  • Person thought to have committed a crime
  • verb
  • To consider someone is the one guilty of a crime
  • To doubt or lack trust

accuse

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'kju:z /

UK / əˈkjuz /

A2
  • verb
  • To claim that someone has done something wrong

kit

Copy vocabulary

US / kɪt /

UK / kɪt /

B1
  • noun
  • Set, collection of tools, supplies, for a purpose

indicate

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈɪndɪkeɪt /

UK / ˈɪndɪˌket /

A2
  • verb
  • To show something; direct attention to; point out
  • To represent something using a symbol or sign

tail

Copy vocabulary

US / teɪl /

UK / tel /

A2
  • noun
  • Extended part at the back of an animal's body
  • Back or last part of something e.g. shirt
  • verb
  • To be end of (a march or parade, line)
  • To follow someone secretly and watch what they do

false

Copy vocabulary

US / fɔ:ls /

UK / fɔ:ls /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not real or genuine

relative

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈrelətɪv /

UK / ˈrɛlətɪv /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Measured or considered in comparison to another
  • (Grammar) referring to words that appear earlier
  • noun
  • Members of the family
  • Humans or animals sharing the same family history

abandon

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'bændən /

UK / əˈbændən /

B1
  • noun
  • Wild, carefree behavior
  • verb
  • To discard or intentionally get rid of an item
  • To withdraw your support, or leave someone
  • To stop doing or having (hope, plans); give up
  • To leave a place, car and not go back
  • To surrender to a desire, with little self-control

lawyer

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈlɔ:jə(r) /

UK / ˈlɔjɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Professional who helps people with the law

handful

Copy vocabulary

US / 'hændfʊl /

UK / ˈhændˌfʊl /

B1
  • noun
  • an amount of something that can be held in one hand; small quantity or amount of people or things
  • A thing requiring great effort to control, manage

assault

Copy vocabulary

US / əˈsɔ:lt /

UK / əˈsɔlt /

B1
  • noun
  • An attack on someone physically or emotionally
  • verb
  • To attack someone physically or emotionally

unknown

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌʌnˈnəʊn /

UK / ˌʌnˈnoʊn /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Not being known or famous
  • Being unfamiliar or not known
  • noun
  • Person who is not famous or known by many

glove

Copy vocabulary

US / glʌv /

UK / ɡlʌv /

B1
  • noun
  • Piece of clothing to protect or keep hands warm

poke

Copy vocabulary

US / pəʊk /

UK / pok /

B2
  • verb
  • To give a push, thrust, or jab

widely

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈwaɪdli /

UK / ˈwaɪdlɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • To a large degree; over a large range
  • By or among a large number of people

cousin

Copy vocabulary

US / 'kʌzn /

UK / 'kʌzn /

A2
  • noun
  • Child of your uncle or aunt
  • Something similar to or related to something else

obtain

Copy vocabulary

US / əbˈteɪn /

UK / əbˈtein /

A2
  • other
  • To get something through your efforts
  • verb
  • To be given or to earn something through efforts

genetic

Copy vocabulary

US / dʒəˈnetɪk /

UK / dʒəˈnɛtɪk /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Of, relating to, or controlled by genes

prominent

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈprɒmɪnənt /

UK / ˈprɑmənənt /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being important or well known
  • Being easily noticeable
  • Sticking out beyond something

enforcement

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪn'fɔ:smənt /

UK / ɪn'fɔ:smənt /

B1
  • noun
  • Process of making sure that rules are followed

spotlight

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈspɒtlaɪt /

UK / ˈspɑ:tlaɪt /

C1
  • noun
  • Lamp that produces a strong beam of light
  • verb
  • To highlight or put attention on something

attorney

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'tɜ:nɪ /

UK / əˈtɚni /

B2
  • noun
  • Person giving legal advice; a lawyer

detective

Copy vocabulary

US / dɪˈtektɪv /

UK / dɪˈtɛktɪv /

A2
  • noun
  • Person who investigates and solves crimes

bail

Copy vocabulary

US / beɪl /

UK / bel /

B2
  • noun
  • Money given to ensure prisoner returns to a court
  • verb
  • To obtain release of a prisoner by giving money
  • To throw water out of a boat to prevent it sinking

serial

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈsɪəriəl /

UK / ˈsɪriəl /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Arranged according to a particular system or order
  • Repeating the same actions in the same way
  • noun
  • Story that is told is several parts on TV or radio

pioneer

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌpaɪəˈnɪə(r) /

UK / ˌpaɪəˈnɪr /

B1
  • noun
  • Person exploring a new place or field of endeavor
  • verb
  • To begin or discover something new
  • To take part in the development of something new

rape

Copy vocabulary

US / reɪp /

UK / rep /

B1
  • noun
  • Act of forcing someone to have sex
  • Plant used as a source of an edible oil
  • verb
  • To force someone to have sex against their will

warrant

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈwɒrənt /

UK / ˈwɔ:rənt /

B1
  • noun
  • Official authorization for some action or decision
  • verb
  • To guarantee or legally swear something

revisit

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌri:ˈvɪzɪt /

UK / riˈvɪzɪt /

B1
  • verb
  • To talk or think about something again
  • To visit some place or someone again

surrender

Copy vocabulary

US / sə'rendə(r) /

UK / səˈrɛndɚ /

B1
  • noun
  • Ending a fight you cannot win; formally giving up
  • verb
  • To give up in a fight that you cannot win
  • To give in, e.g. to person's demands or temptation

terminal

Copy vocabulary

US / 'tɜ:mɪnl /

UK / ˈtɚmənəl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Of an illness, etc.) likely to lead to death
  • noun
  • Final stop or station for a bus, train or plane
  • Place where trips end or begin, like a train stop
  • other
  • End part of some structure or concept

passport

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈpɑ:spɔ:t /

UK / ˈpæspɔ:rt /

B1
  • noun
  • Official book of identification allowing travel
  • Way to achieve something

database

Copy vocabulary

US / 'deɪtəbeɪs /

UK / ˈdetəˌbes, ˈdætə- /

A2
  • noun
  • Data stored in logical order to aid retrieval

prosecutor

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈprɒsɪkju:tə(r) /

UK / ˈprɑ:sɪkju:tə(r) /

B2
  • noun
  • Lawyer who tries to prove a person's guilt

dna

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌdiː en ˈeɪ /

UK / ˌdiː en ˈeɪ /

B2
  • noun
  • Chemical in living cells with genetic information

boston

Copy vocabulary

US / 'bɒstən /

UK / 'bɔ:stənˌ 'bɑ:stən /

A1
  • noun
  • A card game resembling solo whist.
  • A variation of the waltz or of the two-step.
  • proper noun
  • A city in eastern Massachusetts, the capital of the state, on Massachusetts Bay; population 609,023

attacker

Copy vocabulary

US / əˈtækə(r) /

UK / əˈtækər /

A1
  • noun
  • Someone who attacks

bracelet

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈbreɪslət /

UK / ˈbreslɪt /

B1
  • noun
  • Chain or band worn around the wrist

matthew

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈmæθjuː /

UK / ˈmæθju /

A1

courtroom

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈkɔ:tru:m /

UK / ˈkɔrtˌrum, -ˌrʊm, ˈkort- /

C2
  • noun
  • Room in which a law court sits

voluntary

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈvɒləntri /

UK / ˈvɑ:lənteri /

C1
  • adjecitve
  • Done or given by their own will and not forced
  • Done by people working willingly and without pay
  • Being controlled consciously

forensic

Copy vocabulary

US / fəˈrensɪk /

UK / fəˈrɛnsɪk,-zɪk /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Establishing facts or evidence in investigations

ken

Copy vocabulary

US / ken /

UK / kɛn /

A1
  • noun
  • One's range of knowledge or sight.
  • transitive verb
  • Know.

gps

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌdʒiː piː ˈes /

UK / ˌdʒiː piː ˈes /

A1
  • abbreviation
  • GPS is an acronym

rapist

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈreɪpɪst /

UK / ˈrepɪst /

B1
  • noun
  • Person forcing someone to have sex

colleen

Copy vocabulary

US / kɒˈli:n /

UK / kɑ:ˈli:n /

A1
  • other
  • An Irish girl

genealogy

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌdʒi:niˈælədʒi /

UK / ˌdʒiniˈɑlədʒi, -ˈæl-, ˌdʒɛni- /

C1
  • noun
  • Record of a person's ancestors and descendants

fitzpatrick

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈfɪtɪŋ /

UK / ˈfɪtɪŋ /

A1

pretence

Copy vocabulary

US / prɪˈtens /

UK / ˈpriˌtɛns, prɪˈtɛns /

B2
  • noun
  • Making people believe things that are not true

mcleod

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈmæksɪməm /

UK / ˈmæksəməm /

A1

charlestown

Copy vocabulary

US / /

UK / /

A1
  • proper noun
  • A neighborhood in northern Boston in Massachusetts, north of the Charles River. Bunker Hill is here.
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • DNA technology has played a crucial role in helping to track down a lawyer accused of multiple rapes in Boston. Matthew Nilo, who had evaded the authorities for over a decade, finally faced the judge today. The breakthrough in the case came when a drinking glass and popular websites provided the evidence needed to crack it wide open. The four attacks took place in 2007 and 2008 along Terminal Street in Charlestown. If the case goes to trial, it will shed light on the growing use of forensic genetic genealogy in law enforcement.Matthew Nilo, formerly a practicing attorney in New York, was accused of being a serial rapist. He may have believed he had gotten away with his crimes, but forensic genetic genealogy proved otherwise. Colleen Fitzpatrick, a pioneer in this field, highlighted the technology's significance. While it has been used in trials only a few times, these cases are now entering the court system more frequently.According to police, Nilo grew up in Boston and was a college student at the time he offered rides to three women under false pretenses. During these encounters, he brandished a small knife. He would then take the victims to Terminal Street in Charlestown, where he forced them out of the car, knocked them to the ground, and raped them. The rape kits from all three assaults indicated the same attacker, and police suspected that he had attempted a fourth assault.The case went cold until several months ago when the Boston police revisited it. They used the unknown suspect's DNA to search for potential relatives in the growing pool of voluntary DNA databases. This innovative approach led them to Nilo's cousins, and they no longer needed Nilo's own DNA in the database.This case highlights the power of DNA technology and forensic genetic genealogy in solving crimes and bringing justice to victims. As more individuals voluntarily submit their DNA to databases for genealogical purposes, law enforcement agencies can use this resource to identify potential suspects and close cold cases. While there is still much debate surrounding privacy concerns, the successful use of this technology in cases like Nilo's shows its potential for making a real impact in the criminal justice system.The trial of Matthew Nilo will be closely watched as it not only holds him accountable for his actions but also sheds light on the growing role of DNA technology and forensic genetic genealogy in solving crimes. It serves as a reminder that even those who believe they have escaped justice can still be held accountable through advancements in forensic science. The victims of these heinous crimes will hopefully find some closure as the case progresses through the courts.In conclusion, the use of DNA technology and forensic genetic genealogy has successfully led to the identification and apprehension of Matthew Nilo, a lawyer accused of being a serial rapist in Boston. With the help of a drinking glass and popular websites, law enforcement officials were able to crack the case wide open. This breakthrough highlights the growing importance of DNA technology and forensic genetic genealogy in solving crimes and bringing justice to victims. As more cases utilize this innovative approach, the criminal justice system will continue to evolve and become more effective in apprehending perpetrators and providing closure to victims.
  • Subtitles section
  • Well, tonight, an incredible look at the evidence against a lawyer accused of being a serial rapist.
  • Matthew Nilo faced the judge today after avoiding justice for more than a decade.
  • And we have now learned that a drinking glass and some popular websites may have cracked this case wide open.
  • WBC's Ken McLeod explains.
  • All four attacks happened here along Terminal Street in Charlestown in 2007 and 2008.
  • But if this case makes it to trial, it'll be one of the few to spotlight a growing tool for law enforcement, forensic genetic genealogy.
  • Matthew Nilo was a practicing attorney in New York until last week, but he appeared in a Boston courtroom this morning accused of being a serial rapist.
  • I would imagine he thought he got away with it, but he didn't.
  • Colleen Fitzpatrick was a pioneer in forensic genetic genealogy, technology that has been used at trial only a handful of times.
  • These cases are just moving into the court system.
  • Police say Nilo grew up in Boston and was a college student when he offered three women rides under false pretenses.
  • And at that time, he flashed a small knife at her.
  • He then drove to Terminal Street in Charlestown, where he ordered the victim out of the car, knocked her to the ground and raped her.
  • Rape kits from all three assaults indicated the same attacker, and police suspected the guy had tried a fourth.
  • The victim fought him off using her gloved hands to poke at his eyes.
  • But the case went cold until Boston police revisited it several months ago, using the unknown suspect's DNA to search for possible relatives in the growing pool of voluntary databases out there.
  • He doesn't need to be in the database anymore.
  • His cousins are in the database.
  • And prosecutors say that's how detectives zeroed in on Nilo, finally tailing him to grab his DNA off a drink cup he abandoned and discovering it was a spot-on match to the Charlestown assaults 15 years ago.
  • Nilo's attorney is already challenging this.
  • It seems that they obtained DNA evidence without ever obtaining a search warrant.
  • But one expert hopes this case helps genetic genealogy become a more widely used tool.
  • When you have a prominent case like this, you have people thinking, you have people talking.
  • If Nilo can make his half million dollar cash bail, the judge ordered him to wear a GPS bracelet and surrender his passport.
  • In Charlestown, Ken McLeod, WBZ News.