DIRECT EXAMINATION OF HEATHER SEUBERT BY JB - continued
3/19/09 report - Q62-64 (S-302) - duct tape items received from the ME
Tape was examined - 3 pieces. First exam was done on top (silver non-adhesive) side of tape, cotton swab was swabbed to collect possible biological material.
Any distinctive markings on top? Henkel logo was on top.
Swab of top side of tape - DNA typing was performed and a DNA profile was generated but was below the interpretation threshold of the FBI lab. DNA typing result was obtained at 6 of the 9 locations tested.
2 amplification kits are used to come up with the 13.
JB wants her to write on easel - she did not feel she needed to - JB wanted jury to raise hands if they wanted her to - Judge said NO.
Witness now writing on paper -
13 locations on the DNA - they are selected because they are very different in different individual. 46 chromosomes - 23 from mother, 23 from father. One kit has 9 locations. She listed the 9 locations on the paper in the Profiler Plus ID kit. In her analysis she looks at the peaks in these locations. She would then populate the table which would give the profile.
If your parents have the same STR type - then you will have only one peak.
If there is enough DNA for a result - there would be 2 peaks at each result.
You can have a DNA profile at just one location - you don't need all 13.
Second test has another series of targeted locations.
Regarding the duct tape - the non-sticky side revealed that there was an STR typing result obtained, but it fell below her reporting threshold. She then wrote out the profile, noting it was below the threshold.
To exclude someone, it could take just one marker. In what she obtained, she could exclude ICA. Caylee was also excluded.
After the DNA profile was obtained she compared it to all of the known samples submitted - CA, LA, GA, ICA, Caylee. All of those individuals were excluded from the profile.
Based on the profile, and exclusion of known samples, the next step was to compare it with the DNA unit staff samples. She did not find anyone there that matched.
She then determined what other units had contact with the evidence. Knowing it was female, she checked them. The profile matched Lori Goddis (sp) questionable document unit examiner.
Can contaminated DNA overwrite existing DNA? Depends on quantity of contaminant - a large amount could shadow or hide. However, on this sample, if there had been an underlying DNA sample, she would have expected to find a mix.
Could this still have contaminated...
OBJECTION BY JA - assumes hypotheticals not in evidence - SUSTAINED.
She still would have accepted a mix.
OBJECTION BY JA - hypothetical based on facts not in evidence - SUSTAINED.
Can contaminating DNA override...
OBJECTION BY JA - asked and answered - OVERRULED.
If there is a very large volume of contaminant over a very small underlying sample, it is possible to override.
Her unit was the last unit to receive the DNA. Getting it earlier would not have altered how she processed it. Any time an item is handled by fewer people, there is less a chance for contamination.
Exam plan is developed by the evidence control unit. This item had several types of analysis- trace, chemistry, latent print, questioned document unit then her unit.
She was aware that the duct tape had been outside and had water in it at times.
Elements can degrade DNA?
OBJECTION - leading - OVERRULED.
Sunlight, humidity can effect amount of DNA.
Why do the test? It was her thought that they should be swabbed to determine if there was any DNA present.
Can you get DNA from items under water?
OBJECTIONS - leading - OVERRULED.
It is possible, but there were different factors involved - length of time, biological fluid (blood, semen).
DNA profiles from burn victims?
OBJECTION BY JA - SUSTAINED
You can get DNA profiles from burn victims.
Never know variables?
OBJECTION BY JA - leading - SUSTAINED
She does not have all the knowledge of an item prior to receiving it.
If it is a blood looking stain, she expects a profile. If it is a swab - she doesn't know if she is going to generate a DNA profile.
Regarding duct tape - where would you expect to get a profile?
OBJECTION - hypothetical based on facts not in evidence (environmental) - OVERRULED
SIDEBAR #5