4 Univ of Idaho Students Murdered, Bryan Kohberger Arrested, Moscow, Nov 2022 #95

[jepop]

Okay, I will bite. Let's generally say that it was a knife (since they were looking for one and not for another weapon). So, how do you postulate that BK's DNA, as you are suggesting, was inserted into the snaps of the knife sheath? You have to be

The fact is with touch DNA you don't have to actually touch the object.

touch DNA does not necessarily indicate a person’s direct contact with the object. Rather, according to [experts], abandoned skin cells, which make up touch DNA, can be left behind through primary transfer, secondary transfer, or aerosolization.”


Listen I don't think BK is innocent but at this point I don't think he's guilty either beyond a reasonable doubt.




MOO

Epithelial cells dNA and transfer DNA are not the same thing. Context matters.

 

[Arkay]

Even when a person touches an object, “DNA is not always detectable, meaning that it is possible to have someone touch an object but not leave behind detectable DNA because … some people leave more of their skin cells behind than others, i.e., some people are better ‘shedders’ of their DNA than others. There are also other factors that affect the amount of DNA left on an object, such as the length of contact, the roughness or smoothness of the surface, the type of contact, the existence or nonexistence of fluids, such as sweat, and degradation on the object.” Id.,

But BK’s DNA was in fact detectable.

He had to be somehow present, in some manner, at some time.

If he never entered that house, and instead drove around looking at the stars while the murders were being committed by someone else, how could this happen?

Did his innocent DNA float out of his car, fly into the house and land on a snap that had to be physically touched to open the sheath?

It was a party house. Indubitably there can be fingerprints or DNA from previous tenants or from partygoers at the house who long ago graduated and moved on and so have not been identified.

That does not change that he had to have been present at some time in order for his DNA to surface there. He simply cannot pretend he wasn’t.

IMO

 

[GRT]

But BK’s DNA was in fact detectable.

He had to be somehow present, in some manner, at some time.

SBM for focus

That was my first thought as well when this issue came up a few months ago. But then I spent way too long going down rabbit holes and reading the science, and it turns out—maybe not.

Here's a reputable study that shows why touch DNA isn't a slam dunk.

I still think BK is the killer, and I think the DNA is going to be a convincing bit of evidence, but judges have blocked it before due to some of the problems with it.

I don't think the State's case is nearly as tight as some think it is. But, with a gag order still in place, we're not privy to a lot of the information and the State may have a stronger (or weaker) case than I currently think.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

Bryan Kohberger bought Ka-Bar knife from Amazon months before murders

Accused killer to appear in court for arraignment on four counts of first-degree murder and burglary

www.the-independent.com

I see multiple comments wondering if perhaps BK left his touch DNA on the sheath snap because he left it there while perusing it in a store.

I thought it had been established that he bought the knife online? From Amazon? Or rather “a” K-Bar similar at the least to the one used in the murders?

No, this was something said on Dateline that turned out to be debunked, I believe. There is no evidence of BK buying that knife that I'm aware of.