THE limits of DNA analysis will be tested by a trial involving a 20-year-old rape, a deceased victim, a nomadic man and his unco-operative brother.

The District Court has heard the case against Peter Tasman Cannell centres on DNA found at the 1993 rape of a woman, 81.

Prosecutors claim there is a 600-billion-to-1 chance of anyone other than Cannell being the rapist - but they cannot exclude his brother, who has refused to provide a DNA sample.

Cannell, 41, of Victoria, has pleaded not guilty to one count each of rape and burglary.

Opening the trial yesterday, prosecutor Sandi McDonald said the charges related to an incident in Wright St, Adelaide, in October 1993.

She said the rapist unlocked the victim's door after tearing through a flyscreen and subjected her to a "traumatic" rape.

"(The victim) was later taken to hospital and remained there for about six weeks," she said.

"She sustained injuries in so many areas that it may be easier to talk about the areas that were not bruised."

The victim died of natural causes in July 1997.

Ms McDonald said police records would prove Cannell - who moves between NT, WA and Queensland - was in Adelaide at the time of the rape.

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Rape case to test limits of DNA