Opinion ID: 2797813
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Forensic Test Results

Text: Suspecting that the murders had not occurred in the van, the police collected a portion of carpet and of a hallway doorframe from the Kopatzes’ house, which tested positive for blood. Criminalist Daniel Gregonis determined that the DNA profile from the blood on the doorframe was an exact match to Mary’s profile, providing “strong evidence” that Mary was a “good potential” source of the blood.11 Gregonis could not obtain a DNA profile from the blood on the carpet. He stated that a possible explanation for the inability to obtain a profile was the presence of an inhibitor, such as a cleaning solution, that had been applied to the stain. Criminalist Michele Merritt noted a stain on the back of the carpet, but could not determine if it was from cleaning fluid. She opined that if any liquid had been applied to the bloodstain, it was after the blood had dried completely. Fibers found on Mary’s front torso, left sock, and lower left leg were consistent with fibers from the carpet in the Kopatzes’ house. DNA testing eliminated Mary and Carley as contributors to the scrapings found under Mary’s fingernails, but could not eliminate defendant as a possible contributor.