AUSTRALIAN police searching for the killer of York backpacker Caroline Stuttle today started DNA testing scores of men living near the spot where her body was found.

The voluntary tests are the latest move in the investigation into the killing of the 19-year-old, from Huntington, who police believe was attacked and robbed before falling to her death from a bridge on April 10 in the eastern town of Bundaberg.

Inspector Jeff Oliphant, who is leading the investigation, said: "We've had in excess of 30 men come forward and supply samples this morning. We anticipate we will get more later in the day and the following days. We have arranged for people to come in."

Police expect about 100 men to give DNA samples, which are taken with a mouth swab.

"The Bundaberg people have been very co-operative and very supportive of the police during this investigation," Det Insp Oliphant said.

Caroline's body was found under a 30ft bridge in the farming town 220 miles north of Brisbane, the Queensland state capital. Her mobile phone and handbag were missing and police believe she was killed after being robbed.

Screams were heard in the area of the bridge shortly after Caroline telephoned a travelling companion to say she was walking back to her camp site.

A man aged 25 to 30, of solid build and with collar-length hair, was seen walking behind her as she crossed the bridge after making the telephone call.

Insp Oliphant rejected suggestions detectives only resorted to the DNA tests after running out of leads in the investigation.

"We have got this saliva sample ... we are just trying to identify who might be the owner of that, it might be somebody who is totally innocent and then if that's so we can then direct our resources to other aspects of the investigation," he said.

Updated: 12:05 Monday, June 17, 2002