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

The DNA Mixture Was Uninterpretable. TrueAllele® Linked the Weapon to the Suspect in a Sexual Assault Case.

Case summary

The lab said the DNA from inside the barrel of the gun was uninterpretable due to mixture complexity. On the same lab DNA data, TrueAllele statistically linked the handgun to Willard Anthony. The case ended in conviction for rape and human trafficking with a life sentence without parole.

What the lab report said

  • Due to the complexity of the mixture, the DNA from the gun was uninterpretable.

Why this mattered for the investigation

  • This was a sexual assault case involving gun evidence. When the weapon DNA could not be interpreted, corroborating evidence could have gone unused.

What was submitted

  • The lab’s electronic DNA data from the inside barrel of the handgun
  • Reference data for comparison

What changed after TrueAllele interpretation

  • Using the same DNA data the lab had already generated, TrueAllele calculated a match statistic of 1.59 thousand connecting the handgun to Willard Anthony.

Outcome

  • A jury found Anthony guilty of rape and human trafficking. He was sentenced to life without parole.

Case Takeaways

If your sexual assault case includes a gun and the DNA is reported as uninterpretable:

  1. Request the electronic DNA data files (.fsa or .hid) for the weapon swab and reference profiles, including allelic ladder files.
  2. Request a Free TrueAllele Screening.
  3. If screening results are helpful, request a court-ready case report.

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.