South Africa - Martin, 55, Theresa, 54, Rudi van Breda, 22, murdered, 26 Jan 2015 #4

[JudgeJudi]

If anyone is having problems with the time in SA, use this link.

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/south-africa

 

[PrimeSuspect]

[video=youtube;i4I32yuZHZY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4I32yuZHZY[/video]

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

Foreign peaks: Lt Col Otto said Gene Mapper system didn't pick it up. She said it would be dangerous to speculate what it is.

Dr Olckers says analyst can intervene and enter a code to make peak labeling possible. Agree it could be an artefact or an allele.

Galloway asks if full profile of unknown person can be read in sample. Olckers: can be only peak of profile present. Inconclusive.

Olckers testifies ISO says uncertainty of measurement should be addressed. Lab must attempt to identify components of uncertainty.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

Scientists can also make mistakes. Olckers feels full result was not reported, even if it is uncertain.

Try and explain shortly what you're saying, Judge Desai tells Dr Olckers.

Samples form case followed on worklist, which SOPs say shouldn't be done due to risk of contamination,Dr Olckers says.


(I think Olckers is purposely being long winded, Combrink seems to find it amusing!)

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

Galloway says this is not unusual or unheard of. Olckers:every possible measure must be taken to avoid contamination.

Empty lanes on work list: Lt Col Otto says lab removed info from other cases in paper trail as its irrelevant and compromises info.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

You can't dispute those lines empty as info relates to other cases. Olckers says she can't dispute because she doesn't have info.

Worklists created by StarLab programme based on algorithm. Logistic issue due to amount of samples involved.


https://twitter.com/mfazwe

Judge Desai says he hopes the witness's auditing is more stringent than that of KPMG. Whole press bench bursts out into laughter

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

Olckers says samples can't be done together. SOPs state this. Same case shouldn't follow.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

Even though logistical issues due to number of samples, you want SOPs followed literally? Olckers: Yes, can't sacrifice quality.

Cases with a lot of samples can't be handled differently, Olckers insists.Must be in line with standard practice in the field.

So must they edit Starlab worklist? Olckers says algorithm written by people, must be in way to comply with SOPs.

Not complying could have real significant impact, Olckers explains. SOPs and ISO guide was contravened.

State says Olckers indicated presumptive tests for blood also contravened SOPs. Hemastix tests are presumptive, Galloway says.

One whole person in the gallery today.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

Still important part of analysis to identify body fluids, Olckers says. Prior to swab being submitted, origin must be known.

Hematix expiry dates not recorded. WO Nel said it was recorded in a different log book. Will that satisfy your reading of SOP?


https://twitter.com/CapeTownEtc

Galloway asks the witness if SOP's should be followed literally. "Yes, you cannot sacrifice quality"

Galloway touches on another SOP, regarding Hemastix tests for blood preparation. Court briefly adjourns

Galloway seeks clarification if Hemastix tests are only presumptive tests

Galloway confirms with the witness that the expiry dates were not recorded for the Hemastix tests, therefore nulling SOP

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

WO Nel kept record of Hemastix, saying tested positive/negative.Olckers says should be in a way for independent analyst to verify.

Its record keeping, but the results cannot be verified, Ockers says. A photo would have sufficed.

ISO guide says original observation and sufficient information must be recorded, Olckers states.Original observation wasn't kept.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

One sample had Martin #VanBreda's alleles, but not enough to make full profile as 2 alleles short. Olckers says three alleles not labelled.

This was extent of Lt Col Otto's objectivity and quality controls, Galloway says.

Did you pick up contamination? Olckers: If low level carries over,won't pick it up. So little DNA used it was in stochastic range.

Dr Olckers asked if contamination occurred. She gives a long explanation. Desai asks it again. She doesn't give a straight answer.



https://twitter.com/CapeTownEtc

G: Are you saying that Otto should have gone further in her quality checks? O: That's not what I'm saying.

Olckers: Otto could've pushed and labelled. She didn't report full scientific scope.

G asks if contamination existed in report. Desai pushes for a yes or no answer, to which the answer seems impossible to simplify

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

Results scientifically invalid because they didn't follow certain SOPs? Yes. Where proven it is wrong, invalid, not relied on.

Why did you not do own analysis? Why not test it? Samples still available, Galloway points out.

Dr Olckers confirms retesting was not part of her mandate.


https://twitter.com/CapeTownEtc

Olckers reaffirms that scientific results are invalid when SOP's are not followed

 

[Interested Bystander]

I am losing the will to live!

 

[Fluffykins]

Hi Everyone :wave: Enjoy!

I want that teapot.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

Galloway points out criticism to Olckers in previous case. Very little if any experience in a forensic laboratory.

Olckers contests only academic and admin experience. Otto no longer proficient in all tests, now interprets. She has similar role.


https://twitter.com/CapeTownEtc

Galloway mentions twice in quick succession that Olckers has no practical forensic experience.

 

[JudgeJudi]

I am losing the will to live!

I'm sure Desai and Miss Lemon feel the same.

 

[L2L]

I want that teapot.

I'll have the glasses - refilled!

 

[PrimeSuspect]

I want that teapot.

Isn't it gorgeous? I wonder if there are matching tea cups?

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

Olckers has never worked in a forensic laboratory.


https://twitter.com/CapeTownEtc

However, Olckers stresses her extensive academic experience around DNA analysation including molecular biology.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/TammyPetersen87

In S v Orrie (2004 judgement), judge said it took 10 court days for Olckers to simply say culture of lab could not be relied upon.

:gaah:

In every case request papertrail, usually also SOPs. Same issues raised, and should have been corrected by now, Olckers says.