Yes agreeing, the ISP and.the state of Idaho are not one and the same. The ISP provide guidelines on evidence collection and processing and the IDAHO COURTS imo get to decide what will be admissible as trial evidence on a case by case basis.That is not true. The document is from the IDAHO STATE POLICE:
DNA Biology
Examiners in the Forensic Biology specialty routinely examine items of evidence for the presence of blood and seminal fluid. After the proper samples for comparison are obtained, DNA analysis can be conducted on these stains, and conclusions drawn as to whether an individual can be eliminated or...isp.idaho.gov
"Touch DNA: This type of testing is generally only offered on homicides and certain types of sexual assaults. More information regarding accepted evidence is provided in the evidence submission section below. Ineligible items may be swabbed for touch DNA by ISPFS for preservation purposes only. An independent laboratory can then test these samples. This service is only offered by request; approval must be obtained before submission."
Imo plenty of room within the Idaho State Police guidelines for the ISL to legitimately swab and analyse the sheath including the snap button use point. @Alpine's posts up thread explicate this clearly. Moo. As we know, from State's Motion for Protective Order, it was the ISl which performed the extraction, analysis and developed the Codis eligible str profile, so clearly LE officers collecting the evidence ( ie sheathe) at the scene followed whatever procedures were necessary to allow for the DNA testing. We know nothing to the contrary at any rate. Imo 'What if' scenarios can wait until we learn on what various grounds defense may claim in future Motions to suppress. There is no basis to speculate that procedures were not followed imo. Personally I don't really see these ISP guidelines playing a role but jmo.
Adding and unrelated to your post: MOO speculation and/or innuendo that the DNA was somehow manipulated, manufactured or planted on the snap button by LE including the ISP and)or the ÍSL appears to me to be based off of no known facts in this case. Moo