KAITLIN ARMSTRONG MURDER TRIAL
Defense calls its first witness:
Erin LaGrone, Senior Latent Print Examiner, Austin Forensic Science Department.Kaitlin Armstrong already seems more interested. She's leaning over her attorney and looking at notes.LaGrone seems nervous on the witness stand. The defense instructs her to take a deep breath.
LaGrone says she has testified in a criminal court twice before on behalf of the prosecution. She explains to the court what a fingerprint is and explains that there has been no historical evidence that show two people have the same fingerprint.
LaGrone explains the intricacies of fingerprint analysis. Micro vs. macroscopic detail, suitability criteria, exclusion criteria, etc. Helps to build foundation and establish her credibility as an expert to the jury.
LaGrone says she was the latent print examiner for this case, helping conduct comparison. Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), a software system, was used to submit fingerprints and search for possible candidate profiles. She created a report on 8/2/22.
LaGrone's written report is being published for the jury and courtroom to view. It is an APD document with the seal of the City of Austin and the Forensics Science Bureau. It contains the offense number and includes a number of items submitted: One envelope containing 22 latent lift cards from the exterior front door, interior front door, exterior front door window, interior front door window, interior front door "Kwikset" lock latch, interior door "Kwikset" lock and Exterior north window. Another envelope containing 9 latent lift cards from the water bottle in cup holder of bicycle, "Wahoo" bicycle handlebar attachment, right side of front bicycle rim, left side of front bicycle rim and right side of rear bicycle rim.
LaGrone clarifies that she does not collect the prints, they are just handed to her for analysis. She looks into the latent prints and will sometimes use Photoshop to alter the image, like add contrast, to help her view distinct characteristics of the print.
LaGrone says there was an immediate mistake with the fingerprint envelopes when they were first handed to her. The labels were switched on the envelopes. She could tell because the number of prints inside the envelope didn't match what was printed on the label. She said she wasn't concerned about what errors that might have caused.
LaGrone says she was given a "known" print to compare the latent prints to. That person was Kaitlin Armstrong. APD Detectives did not ask her to consider any other subjects to possibly match the prints to.
LaGrone asked her opinion about the prints from the exterior and interior front door. LaGrone says there was nothing there that was suitable for comparison, meaning the prints were no good.Opinion about exterior/interior front door window: Inconclusive.Opinions about prints from the bicycle: Inconclusive. Some good prints from the interior front door window, the lock latch and the exterior north window were determined to be excluded from Armstrong.
Defense really emphasizing that LaGrone was not asked to compare these fingerprints to any other people. Not Caitlin Cash. Not Moriah Wilson. LaGrone admits she doesn't even know who those two people are. Defense has no more questions.
State's redirect:
LaGrone says it would not be concerning in fingerprints would be found at a home of someone who lives there or a friend who is visiting. But she would be alarmed if she found fingerprints of someone who did not belong there.
LaGrone asking about people trying to alter their fingerprints. LaGrone says she knows of some historical cases and that it's discussed as part of their professional training. LaGrone says people may try to alter their fingerprint to try avoid detection.State asking if she's ever heard of pineapples being used to alter fingerprints. LaGrone says deep scarring is the only way to alter fingerprints. Agrees pineapple juice is acidic, but it's a "weak acid.""You would have to hold on to a pineapple for an exceedingly long time for it to wear away your fingerprints," LaGrone says. The courtroom gallery chuckles.LaGrone closes by saying she has never heard of someone using pineapples to alter their fingerprints.
No further questions. Witness dismissed.
Next witness:
APD Officer Niels. He was the one who arrested Armstrong on May 12, 2022 on an arrest warrant. He was instructed to bring her in for questioning. He says that she seemed indifferent when he interacted with her.
