DIRECT EXAMINATION OF CATHERINE THEISENN BY JA:
Chief of the the Quality and training units at the FBI. Has been employed there for 23 years. 6.5 years she was in research, then 5 years in quality assurance, then a mitochondrial analyst
MS in biology, PhD in human molecular biology.
Taught numerous classes to lab personnel.
1 year training at FBI
20th time testifying - mostly state and local.
ACCEPTED AS EXPERT
FBI does nuclear DNA(inherited from both parents) - mitochondrial DNA (shared only with our mothers and siblings and possibly other non-related individuals). Only nuclear DNA can positively ID someone.
Mitochondrial DNA is extracted, then amplified, then typed (sequenced). They can then determine a mitochondrial DNA type which can be compared to known items, unknown items or searched in a known mitochondrial DNA base.
Mitochondrial testing is used on items which they do not expect to give enough for a nuclear test such as hair or skeletal remains.
Mitochondrial DNA testing is a powerful tool to exclude someone.
She examined the hair from the trunk - Q-12.1. She also received swabs from ICA - K-1. These were marked as Exhibits 303 and 304 with no objection by JB.
She obtained a mitochondrial DNA profile from the hair in the trunk and the samples from ICA. It is her conclusion that the types from the hair and the ICA swabs are the same - therefore neither could be excluded as the source of the hair. She agreed it would also include ICA's mother and brother from the same mother and maternal grandmother.
In December 2008 she received another sample - Q-59.1 - a hair mass. The mitochondrial type is the same as the type of the K-1 sample. Therefore, Caylee cannot be excluded of the source of the hair mass.
Hair from the trunk and hair mass are a mitochondrial match and would match anyone in the Caylee Anthony maternal line.
No further questions.
CROSS EXAMINATION B JB:
Quality manager of the entire FBI laboratory. She oversees the quality assurance group who are responsible for putting into practice certain policies and procedures - the rules by which each item is processed in general.
All case work is subjected to a minimum of 2 levels of review.
Each person who handles and processes evidence is subject to proficiency tests.
The reason you do this....
OBJECTION BY JA - SUSTAINED.
JB tried again.
OBJECTION BY JA - SUSTAINED.
The reason you do this....
OBJECTION BY JA - SUSTAINED.
Entire maternal line cannot be excluded.
Q-12.1 - She was presented with info regarding the case in general.
Were you informed LA once owned the car?
OBJECTION BY JA - SUSTAINED.
Why do you read the case file? The case files are required to have the letters that come in with the case. However, not a part of her conclusions.
Did the file include that LA once owned the car?
OBJECTION BY JA - SUSTAINED.
Any additional info regarding CA and the entire maternal line.
OBJECTION BY JA AS TO VAGUE - OVERRULED
The names of the parents may have been in the information. She did not particularly recall the mention of LA.
Witness Excused.
