The researchers, along with other scientists across the world, are now working to sequence the complete genome of other close relatives to humans, including gorillas and orangutans.
Head of the investigation, Det Supt Pete Hornby, said officers were in the early stages of their inquiries "working to establish the sequence of events which led to this evening's tragic outcome".
As well as leading China's contribution to the human genome sequence and working with Danish partners on the pig genome, this week the institute announced completion of a detailed map of the rice genome.