Don,

I agree on the face of it, the BPD is not directly protecting any particular suspect, but by not attacking this case in a truly diligent way, they ARE in fact protecting everyone associated with the case. Not only are they "protecting" the true killer, but they are preventing EVERYONE from getting out from under the umbrella of suspicion. Finding the killer would be the quickest route to clearing these people and lifting the cloud of suspicion that is following each and every one of them, every day of their lives.

The DNA may not necessarily lead to a definite conclusion, but it and all other elements need to be dealt with in order to begin the process of clearing the muddy waters this case is embroiled in.