Opinion ID: 164247
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Forensic chemist testimony

Text: 55 Mr. Miller contends that counsel was (a) unprepared to rebut the testimony of Ms. Taylor, the prosecution's forensic chemist, regarding the presence of the H antigen on Mr. Miller's sandal; and (b) should have requested a hearing pursuant to Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993). Mr. Dodd had A type blood in which the A antigen would be found. Ms Taylor testified that no A antigen was found in the blood sample. She also testified that the H antigen is part of all the blood types and that acid could cause the H antigen to fall away from the primary antigens such as A or B. Thus, she could not exclude any bleeder, including Mr Dodd. Mr. Miller's counsel cross-examined Ms. Taylor on this point, and she agreed that she could not draw a conclusion as to the possible mixing of blood types, and she also agreed that Mr. Miller's blood type (type AB) was absent from each of the samples. 56 As to the necessity of a Daubert hearing, we agree with the district court's statement that challenges to the conclusions drawn by Ms. Taylor regarding her examination of exhibits and methodology goes to her credibility and is properly left to the jury to determine what weight, if any, to give to her testimony. Counsel's cross-examination of Ms. Taylor sufficiently challenged her credibility on each of these issues. Mr. Miller cannot establish deficient performance under Strickland. 57