something suspicious and called in a tip. >> he observed what he thought to be an individual step in front of the door and step back. drew his handgun and challenged whoever the individual or individuals was -- or were, inside the cabin, to come out and show themselves. >> reporter: instead, whoever was there bolted. >> he could hear them crashing off the deck, down through the woods. >> reporter: inside the cabin a map was missing, and ominously, a shotgun. police forensics officers swarmed the cabin and uncovered a trove of intel. >> they found articles of clothing. they found a small fabric bag with a toothbrush, shaving implements, and a few other sundry items that apparently had fallen loose in their haste to leave. that was a virtual gold mine for us, as far as our forensics investigation unit. >> reporter: within 24 hours state police scientists processed samples they had collected. >> and came back with confirmatory matches of dna for both david sweat and richard matt.