31-Oct-2023

Domestic Violence Awareness month

To honor Domestic Violence Awareness month, Cybergenetics highlights the murder case of Commonwealth of Virginia v. David Black.

In April of 2015, Bonnie Black was stabbed to death in her bedroom while her two young children slept nearby. Estranged husband David Black said he hadnʼt been at the house. DNA evidence was collected from the master bedroom and bathroom light switches. The Virginia Department of Forensic Science (DFS) developed DNA data, finding mixtures of Bonnie with other people.

The prosecutionʼs theory was that Davidʼs DNA was on the bedroom light switch because he was the killer. The defense claimed it was their children on the light switch instead. And that DNA science canʼt distinguish David from his children.

DFS sent the DNA data files to Cybergenetics. Advanced TrueAllele data analysis separated the mixtures. TrueAllele found David on the bedroom crime scene light switch, and his daughter on the bathroom switch. David had entered the bedroom, but not the bathroom. The DNA evidence contradicted his story.

On October 31, 2016, Cybergenetics Chief Scientist Dr. Mark Perlin testified about the TrueAllele results before an Arlington jury. David Black was convicted of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to two life sentences in prison.

Bonnie Black is one of many domestic violence victims. If you know domestic violence is happening, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.