Opinion ID: 1914912
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: DNA: Due Process

Text: The dissent of Justice Meyer concludes that admission of the DNA evidence violated Bailey's due process rights because he was not given access to the genetic primer sequences in the Profiler/Cofiler kits. Due process concerns are implicated `when data relied upon by a laboratory in performing tests are not available to the opposing party for review and cross examination.' State v. Traylor, 656 N.W.2d 885, 898 (2003) (quoting State v. Schwartz, 447 N.W.2d 422, 427 (Minn. 1989)). In rejecting the same claim in Traylor, we noted that the BCA did not have the primer sequences when it performed DNA analysis using the kits in that case: Instead, through the use of its own testing of the kits, the BCA validated that the kits produce reliable results. Traylor likewise could have obtained the kits and performed the same type of validation testing as the BCA laboratory. Moreover, Traylor could have perused any number of publicly available validation studies that have been performed on these kits since their inception. With the DAB standards and procedures to guide him, Traylor could have also questioned the BCA technicians about the procedures and methodology followed, their validation studies, and their interpretation of the results. Traylor did not need the primer sequences or unlimited access to Perkin-Elmer's validation studies to do so. Finally, and importantly, there was a portion of the DNA sample at issue available for Traylor to perform his own tests, an opportunity Traylor did not pursue. Traylor, 656 N.W.2d at 899-900 (footnote omitted). The dissent of Justice Meyer distinguishes Traylor factually, concluding that due process was violated here where the sample was so small and degraded that it yielded only a partial profile, with interpretable results having been obtained at only five of the nine loci, and where Bailey had neither notice as to the consummation of the entire sample through testing nor access to a portion of the sample. But the issue in Traylor involved access to the primer sequences which, in turn, was relevant only to the reliability of the Profiler/Cofiler test kits. Neither the parties nor this court thought it pertinent to examine the quality and size of the DNA sample in that case as it related to the primer sequences and validation studies on those kits. True, we noted that a portion of the forensic sample was available for independent testing in Traylor, but that had more to do with the Schwartz/Jobe obligation of the BCA laboratory to make available its testing data and results. See Schwartz, 447 N.W.2d at 427; State v. Jobe, 486 N.W.2d 407, 419 (Minn.1992). To the extent the reliability of the Profiler/Cofiler test kits is in dispute here, as in Traylor, Bailey had access to the data, methodology and actual results of the DNA tests and the fact that the sample was no longer available for independent testing did not violate his due process rights. Anderson, Russell A., J., concurred in part and dissented in part and issued an opinion in which Gilbert, J., joined, Blatz, C.J., joined in part, and Anderson, Paul H., J., joined in part. Meyer, J., concurred in part and dissented in part, and issued an opinion in which Hanson, J., joined and Page, J., joined in part.