A MAGISTRATE has permitted police to use "reasonable force" to obtain a DNA sample from a Swan Hill murder accused.

Nodin Peters, 33, faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court last week charged with the murder of 34-year-old Bendigo artist Josh Penny.

Mr Penny died in hospital on January 15 from injuries sustained from an assault at the Heritage Motel in Golden Square on January 2

Magistrate Trieu Huy...