It's common sense that touch DNA would be on the rope. The rougher the contact, the more skin cells would rub off.
Dr. Lee specifically mentioned the rope in a comment he made 5 years ago about touch DNA and this case. So even he thought it a likely place for touch DNA
Forensic expert says Ramsey investigation still cold
Henry Lee: Investigators are still waiting for a DNA hit
By Vanessa Miller
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Lee, who originally was called in to help on the case by former District Attorney Alex Hunter, has not been contacted by Lacys office to assist. But, Lee said, he wants to know if advancements in the touch DNA method of testing might turn up more supportive DNA on other pieces of evidence, such as the rope used in JonBenets death.
And they still have this note problem, Lee said of the three-page ransom letter recovered at the scene.Those issues are just like pieces of a puzzle that cannot fit together at this point.
Lee said if the DNA thats turned up now on both JonBenets panties and long johns shows up on other pieces of evidence, that would be even more powerful. But whether its enough to publicly exonerate the family, Lee said, he cant say.