Opinion ID: 1914912
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Loci Whose Peaks Have Low RFU Values

Text: Knutson's tests yielded interpretable DNA results at six of the ten loci that the Profiler Plus kit tests. These were represented by peaks on a graph called an electropherogram. Pursuant to BCA protocol, electropherogram peaks must be higher than 150 relative fluorescent units (RFUs) in order to be reliable enough to be interpretable. According to Knutson's pretrial testimony, the BCA considers peaks of less than 150 RFUs to be unreliable. Four of the loci did not yield interpretable DNA results because their peaks were less than 150 RFUs in height. During the trial cross-examination of Knutson, Bailey established that if a person does not match at any one locus, he is excluded. Bailey's counsel then asked Knutson: Q And in this case you were able to answer the question for five locations on the gene; is that correct? A Yes. Q But for the other eight locations on the gene you were not able to answer the question because either the results were below your threshold or you didn't do the Cofiler; is that right? A Yes. [13] Although Knutson had testified pretrial that peaks that were less than 150 RFUs were not interpretable, in the sense that they could not provide a match, the state claimed that Bailey's cross-examination opened the door for some interpretation by implying that, had Knutson done the test properly, Bailey could have been excluded at one of the eight loci not included in the DNA profile generated. On redirect, the state asked Knutson a series of questions to show that while a locus with peaks under the 150 RFU threshold were not reliable enough to support a match, they can sometimes provide enough reliable information to exclude a person. Bailey objected to this testimony and the use of the accompanying charts, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish foundation for opinion evidence concerning any locus with a peak under 150 RFUs. The district court overruled the objection, holding that the redirect questions were within the scope of the cross-examination. Knutson testified that the relative placement of the peaks at these four loci was consistent with Bailey's profile and thus did not exclude him. Evidentiary rulings are subject to an abuse of discretion standard. State v. Robledo-Kinney, 615 N.W.2d 25, 29 (Minn. 2000). The district court's decision that Bailey's cross-examination opened the door to some limited discussion of the sub-150 RFU peaks was likely within the court's discretion. But the court did not respond to Bailey's foundation objection. On that point, Knutson's testimony on the use of sub-150 RFU peaks appears to us unclear. Should this testimony be offered at the new trial, the district court should examine the foundation for any interpretation of electropherogram peaks that are less than 150 RFUs in height.