Push for fresh inquest after man fatally injured trying to break up fight

The parents of a man who died after a one-punch attack in Melbourne are pushing for a fresh inquest into his death, citing advancements in DNA technology.

Shannon McCormack was trying to break up an argument between his friend and another man when he was struck outside Southbank's Queens Bridge Hotel about 4am on May 27, 2007.

He was given first aid treatment and taken home in a taxi, but his condition deteriorated overnight and he died in hospital a week later.

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No one has ever been arrested or charged over his death, leading Victoria Police to announce a $1 million reward in 2022 to track down Shannon's killer.

His parents Bill and Cheryl McCormack have also applied for another coroner to investigate his death, after a 2014 inquest was unable identify any suspects or fresh leads.

They've cited new advancements in DNA technology as a reason for the inquest to be reopened.

In recent months, the inside of the jacket Shannon was wearing on the night of the attack was tested for fresh DNA samples.

The samples showed more than four DNA contributors but the technology is not yet advanced enough to distinguish the individuals, forensic scientist Jenelle Heffernan told the Coroners Court.

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New statistical programs that could analyse complex DNA mixtures were expected to start being used by the end of the year, Heffernan said today.

The forensic scientist said even if the samples fit the criteria to be analysed by the new system, it was possible but unlikely they would identify the individual DNA contributors.

Bill McCormack requested his application be adjourned so the fresh samples could be retested on the new system once it was available.

He also sought access to the CCTV footage and still images from outside the Queen's Bridge Hotel on the night of the attack.

Coroner Simon McGregor allowed both the adjournment and for the CCTV material to be released to the McCormacks.

The case is set to return to the Coroners Court for a directions hearing in June 2025.