First DNA link possible in lacrosse case

Durham Herald Sun ^ | 5/11/2006 | John Stevenson

[OakOak]

By John Stevenson : The Herald-Sun jstevenson@heraldsun.com May 11, 2006 : 12:20 am ET

DURHAM -- Tissue found under the fingernail of an exotic dancer who claimed she was raped at a Duke University lacrosse party may match a player who was there, several well-placed sources said Wednesday.

Analyzing the tissue, scientists concluded it came from the same genetic pool and was "consistent" with the bodily makeup of one of 46 lacrosse players who gave DNA samples for testing, the sources said.

At the same time, scientists ruled out a possible match with any of the other 45 students, according to the sources.

If accurate, the fingernail tissue match would offer the first DNA evidence potentially linking the dancer and an alleged attacker.

But because a complete DNA pattern was not obtained from the tissue, it was not possible to match it with the nearly 100 percent certainty that DNA results usually offer, the sources added.

The dancer told police she clawed at three attackers as they raped and sodomized her for 30 minutes during the March 13-14 lacrosse house party at 610 N. Buchanan Blvd.

[stands2reason]

Right now, Durham looks as inviting as Interior Mexico.

[OakOak]

First lab MISS is HUGE.

Because they handled all the samples including those from the players - so, if they're missing basic stuff what other things there are performed incorrectly. Incorrectly and causing contamination?

Seems Fake Nails catch more stuff under them. MORE of EVERYTHING.

SCRATCH THAT
With research indicating that artificial and natural long nails can harbor bacteria, hospitals file a ban on the lengthy culprits to cut the spread of infection

By Phil Barber
June 11, 2003

(snip)
.....
Research offers several logical reasons to suspect artificial nails. First, most handborne microbes congregate in the subungual zone (the crook between the fingertip and the nail), and long nails of any material make it harder to clean this area.

Second, an artificial nail can separate from the natural nail base if bumped or snagged, leaving an opening that invites dirt and germs. Gram-negative bacteria or fungi then can spread to the natural nail.
ENDQUOTE
http://www.nurseweek.com/news/features/03-06/nails.asp

[F.J. Mitchell]

The DA would obviously rather shoot the fish in the barrel, than make a sporting stab at reeling in the offending species out there in the stream.

He wants a conviction, don't confuse him with facts.

[Peach]

It's not like they found those fingernails AFTER the first DNA test and they weren't tested at all. It's our presumption they were tested. Unless it takes longer for tissue test results to come back vs. DNA tests.

But it seems that tissue testing would be faster than DNA testing and Nifong never said they were waiting for additional results. He said they sent the original batch to another lab.

So that miss by the first lab is huge. Not that I think this should even go to trial, but I'd pay $$ to sit in the courtroom and listen to the first lab vs. the second lab testify to their differing results.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

By Nifong's standard, Mostafa could be arrested for the rape.

[TexKat]

[Publius22]

Since Abrams KNOWS the ID, why pose a question that doesn't fit. In other words, his question would be wrong at face value - if the 3rd suspect (linked to the DNA) lived over at the Dorms. Doesn't seem logical to pose it in that fashion, since they ALREADY know where the Suspect lives.

Makes sense. Considering the orginal warrant have the names Bret and Matt listed on it, I would be surprised if Dan Flannery is the possible 3 suspect. You would think it would have to be one of the other two captains. Of course, nothing would surprise me at this point.

[OakOak]

Looks like Nifong is going to bring charges against any witness unless they change their 'testimony' to correlate with the DA's theory. Don't Laugh, it's happened 3 times already.

1) Kim Roberts.. Arrested. Agrees to testify. Defense Lawyers say she changes her story. She's released and the previous Bond requirement is dropped.

2) Team Player (Evans, I think). Nifong sends out messages loud and clear.. I'd think someone in that house would be decent and not defend these Hooligans in this dispicable crime. Old Charges were reinstated for a NOISE VIOLATION ?

3) Cabbie. A person has already pleaded GUILTY to the crime and been sentenced. Cabbie says they say DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO TELL US? He says, NO. Then throw him into cell for 5 or 6 hours and then charge him with a crime someone has already plead Gulity to.

I agree with you.. Is this the Soviet Union? Where are the safeguards? Where is the free Press?

[OakOak]

And Nifong has already gone after one of the captians by recharging them with old stuff.

I think you posted that earlier, right?

[OakOak]

TexKat,

I see that TISSUE in the paper. I don't know how they explain the first lab then.

How do they miss that? When did that tissue come to rest on that nail? Assumming the SBI report says there was NO DNA found on that nail - like we were told - how do you say, Oh, we found some now. Yes, it matches the guy that Nifong was trying to indict for the last month or so.

[Publius22]

I believe he got David Evans for an alcohol charge, but Evans is the one captain who didn't live at Buchanan.

[OakOak]

I have to go, but I can't help but wonder

Does the SBI lab have different standards that the Private Lab chosen by Nifong?

In other words, does the SBI DNA lab have a policy that says we require a minimum of X genetic markers to indicate in a report that the DNA can be classified as identification of a suspect?

Is it possible the Private, for-profit, hand-picked lab has a lower threshold and no such policy. The Private lab MAY provide less certain classifications such as partial match or consistent with... etc.

I'm just trying to reconcile the first result with the second result.

[Perdogg]

We are forgetting about the other three men who were there. They were not tested.

[pinz-n-needlez]

There's mention upthread of a pubic hair 'consistent with a white person' without a root, so no definitive match can be established.

But a white person was in that bathroom and shed a hair. Hang 'em all! /s

Pinz

[stands2reason]

How can you have "tissue" that has an incomplete DNA sequence?
That doesn't make any sense at all.

B-sharp, aren't you a biologist? Please, I need your expertise here. Is it possible for a fresh biological sample large enough to be considered "tissue" not to have the complete DNA within?

[Peach]

The non-players who were at the party? Why weren't they tested, anyway? She had no real idea who was a lacrosse player and who wasn't.

[Perdogg]

Two to three guys were at the party who were not tested. Don't know much about them. Where was the pubic found in the trash? If they raped her why was no dna found on her?

[Peach]

If they raped her why was no dna found on her?

Because they didn't rape her. LOL

[pinz-n-needlez]

Good point!

Pinz

[Howlin]

Today on the afternoon show on 680, he had some more information about the hair than I had heard, unless I missed it.

He said it was "rootless."

But I still think this is one of the specimens that the defense lawyers talked about at the first DNA press conference when they mentioned two specimens being found in the bathroom.

I just cannot locate that thread right now to find where we transcribed it verbatim as they spoke.