Opinion ID: 883138
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Proper Procedures

Text: Moore argues that the most critical error by AGTC was its failure to follow its own protocol when it did not retest the sample of brain tissue which did not amplify. Moore claims it was AGTC's policy to amplify a sample twice, and AGTC's failure to follow its own protocol should have resulted in the mandatory exclusion of the PCR analysis evidence. Moore relies on State v. McDonald (1985), 215 Mont. 340, 697 P.2d 1328, to support his position that AGTC's failure to use proper procedures results in a mandatory exclusion of the evidence. In McDonald, the defendant was convicted of DUI based in part on a blood alcohol test report and testimony concerning the report. McDonald, 697 P.2d at 1330. This Court reversed and remanded the conviction finding that there was inadequate foundation for the report's admission, because it did not conform to the statutory and administrative rule requirements concerning blood alcohol testing. We held that a defendant charged with a DUI was entitled to have a proper foundation laid which incorporated the administrative rules on proper test procedures. McDonald, 697 P.2d at 1331-32. However, Moore's reliance on McDonald is unpersuasive. AGTC did not fail to follow its protocol, nor has Moore alleged or established the omission of a procedure created by statute or administrative rule for the admission of PCR analysis evidence. The testimony showed that AGTC received two samples of the piece of brain tissue, sample A, and sample B. Mr. Wahl put both samples through the PCR procedure, however, sample B did not amplify. Mr. Wahl testified that sample size permitting, it was AGTC's policy to amplify the DNA extract or sample twice. However, Mr. Wahl also explained that if a second amplification procedure would use up all of the sample, AGTC would not amplify it twice because [w]e [AGTC] strive at all times to maintain at least half of the sample for referee analysis. Mr. Wahl also testified that if AGTC amplified the samples a second time, they would have used up most if not all, of the extract, not allowing any extract for referee analysis. We conclude that Moore's challenges concerning AGTC's failure to retest the brain tissue sample go to the weight of the evidence, and not its admissibility.