New publication - The reliability and reporting of DNA match strength for uncertain genotype evidence.

Fingernail Mixture DNA Connected the Suspect to a Double Homicide - Conviction and Life Without Parole

Case summary

Susan and Sarah Wolfe were killed in their home. The crime lab developed DNA evidence from multiple items across locations, including fingernails and clothing. The lab’s manual interpretation of the data did not provide full DNA match information. TrueAllele® re-interpretation on the lab’s data connected Susan Wolfe’s right-hand fingernail DNA mixture to the defendant, Allen Wade, with a match statistic of six trillion. The computer also linked Wade to other evidence items. TrueAllele results were presented at trial, and the jury convicted Wade on all counts. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

What was left unresolved (common in major cases)

  • In complex homicide scenes, you may have multiple items with mixtures. The lab may develop the DNA data, but the mixture interpretation may still be limited.

What was submitted

  • The lab’s electronic DNA data files from a about a dozen items developed by the county lab.
  • Case context and the defendant comparison sample.

What changed after TrueAllele interpretation

  • Susan Wolfe’s right-hand fingernail mixture was connected to Allen Wade with a match statistic of six trillion.
  • Additional evidence links supported the overall case narrative (e.g., a hat item).

Outcome

  • TrueAllele results were presented at trial, and the jury convicted Allen Wade on all counts. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Case Takeaways

If you have a homicide with multiple items and mixed results:

  1. Request a TrueAllele screening of fingernails/defensive-contact items (they’re often the best “who touched who” evidence).
  2. Then expand to the other probative items (clothing contact areas, key touch surfaces).
  3. Don’t assume that limited DNA answers are the end of the road. TrueAllele interpretation may obtain more information from the same data.

For more information on what to request from the lab, see the Sending Cases for TrueAllele Processing page.

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We don’t retest physical evidence items. We interpret the electronic DNA data a lab already generated.