DELPHI — Day 9 of the Delphi Murders Trial started with testimony from Stacy Bozinovski, a forensic scientist and DNA analyst who was responsible for testing the sexual assault kits performed on Abby Williams and Libby German during their autopsies.
Bozinovski said she also tested items from the crime scene.
Under oath, she said none of the items she tested had the DNA of Richard Allen. The following items were tested:
- Abby's rape kit
- Libby's rape kit
- Blood from the scene
- Swabs from the ground
- Swabs from the trees
- Clothing from the scene
- Cartridge from the scene
Bozinovski said most of the swabs from the crime scene had had either Abby's blood, Libby's blood, or a mixture.
The hair that was found in Abby's hand was determined to be Kelsie German's.
Bozinovski noted that there was "some male" DNA presence underneath the fingernail swab and genital swabs but no sufficient DNA was found.
She stated that the amounts detected were "very, very little." She also said the presence is likely from living with other males or sharing clothing.
Bozinovski also showed the jury the cartridge found at the crime scene. She said it had plant material on it and a light-brown dirt-like stain. She swabbed it for DNA to collect skin cells. She did not see fingerprints on the cartridge.
She testified Monday morning that it is "very difficult" to get DNA samples from unspent cartridges.
Bozinovski found there was an insufficient quantity of DNA for an analysis.
The clothing she tested included the following:
- Socks from the creek
- Underwear from the creek
- Nike shoes
Bozinovski believes the water from the creek made it difficult to remove and dilute DNA.
"For DNA to be successful we need to detect 25-50 cells," she said.
Bozinovski cited some of the items were heavily soiled with plant material or covered in mud.
She also discussed the difference in the concentration of blood versus the concentration of touch samples.
“Trying to detect touch samples in an overwhelming amount of blood is nearly impossible," Bozinovski said.
During Monday's testimony, Bozinovski said while testing a sweatshirt, DNA matched a lab employee. She testified clothing has background DNA which can naturally hold DNA from daily interactions. Following the match, a conversation was had with crime scene investigators about the proper items to wear on the scene.
Bozinovski said 72 rootless hairs were sent to the FBI for testing. Three came back inconsistent with Abby and Libby. Bozinovski decided not to test due to the likeliness of losing the whole sample.
State Prosecutor James Luttrell asked, “Did you find DNA of Richard Allen on any tested item?”
“No, I did not,” Bozinovski said.
“Did you find any male profile on any of the items,” Luttrell asked.
“No, I did not,” Bozinovski said.
Before lunch broke, Special Judge Fran Gull addressed the courtroom. She said she noticed quite a few people sleeping.
“I don’t conduct court in the bedroom. I would appreciate it if you didn’t sleep in my courtroom," she said.
