Improved forensic technology has helped Laval police arrest a man who is accused of killing a young girl whose body was found in a swamp 16 years ago.

The body of nine-year-old Joleil Campeau was found in a swamp near her family home in the Auteuil district of Laval on June 16, 1995.

Campeau had been missing for several days at the time that her body was found.

Police announced a break in the case Wednesday night, when they arrested a 37-year-old man who is a Montreal resident.

Eric Daudelin appeared in a Laval court on Thursday morning, where he was charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault and forcible confinement.

Daudelin has served time for sexual assault and was investigated in connection with Campeau's death back in 1995.

Laval police Const. Franco Di Genova told CTV.ca that it is possible investigators could lay further charges against Daudelin beyond the three initial criminal counts.

"That's what was given for now," Di Genova said in a brief telephone interview on Thursday afternoon.

While police were not previously able to link Daudelin to the crime, they have made use of new technology to build their current case.

"Back then the technology wasn't what it is now," Laval police spokesperson Nathalie Lorrain told reporters Thursday.

A member of the Campeau family told CTV that the slain girl's mother says it is "a gift" to see an arrest in the case.

With a report from CTV Montreal's Caroline van Vlaardingen