Court Opinion

ID: 9575427
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:13:42.822251+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:48:11.413946
License: Public Domain

BUMGARDNER, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. I conclude the instruction correctly stated the law applicable to DNA evidence. It properly instructed the jurors on the legal principles, so they could apply that law to the evidence before them.
A court confronts two distinct considerations when a new scientific discovery is first offered to prove a fact. The first consideration is whether the newly discovered scientific principle is authentic. The second consideration is whether the scientific principle was applied properly to the particular circumstances of the case. The first inquiry tests the validity of the underlying scientific principle. The second inquiry tests the validity of the application of that principle. The *437term “scientific technique” is used in both the Code and decisions when referring to the underlying scientific principle, and the term “procedure” is used when referring to the application of the principle. See Code § 19.2-270.5;2 Spencer v. Commonwealth, 238 Va. 275, 289-90, 384 S.E.2d 775, 782-83 (1989), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 1036, 110 S.Ct. 759, 107 L.Ed.2d 775 (1990); Satcher v. Commonwealth, 244 Va. 220, 239-40, 421 S.E.2d 821, 832-33 (1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 933, 113 S.Ct. 1319, 122 L.Ed.2d 705 (1993).
When the Commonwealth first offered DNA evidence as a form of forensic evidence, it had to meet both tests.3 In Spencer, the Supreme Court ruled that the evidence presented at trial proved the underlying principle was reliable. “[T]he undisputed evidence showed that ‘DNA printing’ is a reliable scientific technique.” 238 Va. at 289, 384 S.E.2d at 782-83. The Court also ruled the application of the principle was reliable. “[T]he testing procedure employed in the present case was conducted in a reliable manner.” Id.
As the new scientific principle moves from being a theory to being an axiom, the need to prove the scientific principle ends. Courts no longer require proof of the underlying scientific principle for fingerprint evidence, radar, or blood alcohol tests. The scientific principle underlying each of those types of *438evidence progressed from theory to universal acceptance. The same progression has occurred with DNA testing.
The General Assembly enacted Code § 19.2-270.5 in 1990 and stated what had been decided in Spencer: “DNA testing-is a reliable scientific technique.” Satcher, 244 Va. at 240-41, 421 S.E.2d at 834. The statute confirmed that the scientific foundation for DNA testing was not susceptible to reasonable dispute. When an issue of fact is not subject to dispute, it is not an issue for the jury to decide. The statutory rule of evidence left only the second consideration as an issue of fact over which reasonable minds could differ. When presented with DNA test evidence, the only issue for the jury is whether the science was properly applied in the case. The science of DNA testing has moved from theory to axiom.
In this case, the trial court must instruct on DNA testing for the jury to apply the law properly. The jury must know that they do not assess the verity of the scientific foundation of DNA testing. However, they are to evaluate whether that principle was applied properly. The instruction given by the trial court instructed the jury on the distinction between “scientific technique” (which the jury must accept) and “procedures employed” (which they must question). The instruction carefully placed qualifiers at critical points to emphasize the discretion resting with the jury.
In deciding what weight, if any, to give the DNA evidence, you may consider any evidence offered bearing upon the accuracy and reliability of the procedures employed in the collection and analysis of a particular DNA sample. Regardless of the results of any DNA analysis, you may consider any other evidence offered to prove the identity of the defendant.
(Emphasis added.) In no way did this instruction tell the jury that the test was reliable or compel that finding.
The majority holds that the instruction improperly singled out the DNA test results. As a general principle, an instruction should not appear to place judicial approval on selective evidence. See Nelms v. Nelms, 236 Va. 281, 374 S.E.2d 4 *439(1988); see generally, Kent Sinclair and Leigh B. Middleditch, Jr., Virginia Civil Procedure § 13.9 (3rd ed. 1998). However, that maxim is applied in the context of finding instructions or instructions that comment on specific items of evidence. See Brown v. Commonwealth, 238 Va. 213, 381 S.E.2d 225 (1989); Nelms, 236 Va. 281, 374 S.E.2d 4; Williams v. Commonwealth, 189 Va. 785, 54 S.E.2d 869 (1949); Woods v. Commonwealth, 171 Va. 543, 199 S.E. 465 (1938); Brown v. Commonwealth, 156 Va. 947, 157 S.E. 567 (1931); Oliver v. Commonwealth, 151 Va. 533, 145 S.E. 307 (1928); Belote v. Commonwealth, 135 Va. 468, 115 S.E. 520 (1923); New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk R.R. Co. v. Thomas, 92 Va. 606, 24 S.E. 264 (1896); Brown v. Rice’s Adm’r, 76 Va. 629 (1882).
The maxim that an instruction should not emphasize one part of the evidence cannot apply when the trial court must explain a rule of evidence so the jury can properly apply that law to the facts of the case. Instructions that apply to one part of the evidence are replete: prior inconsistent statements, inference of intent, possession of recently stolen goods, blood alcohol concentrations, possession of forged writing, motive, inference of malice from the use of a deadly weapon, and willful concealment of merchandise.
In Terry v. Commonwealth, 5 Va.App. 167, 360 S.E.2d 880 (1987), this Court approved an instruction that told the jury it could consider the quantity, packaging, location, and use of the drugs in determining whether the defendant intended to distribute them. The instruction did not impermissibly highlight any of the evidence to the exclusion of other evidence. The Court emphasized the instruction informed the jury of the types of evidence it could use to reach legal conclusions but it did not suggest that specific evidence impelled any particular finding, comment upon specific facts proven in the case, suggest the credibility or weight which should be given any specific evidence, or characterize the evidence by describing it. The instruction given in this case could be characterized in the same manner.
*440I would hold that the trial court properly gave the instruction to inform the jury of its proper but limited duty when assessing the DNA evidence. “The instruction was given to inform the jury of the proper and only purpose for which the evidence should be considered.” Williams, 189 Va. at 791, 54 S.E.2d at 871. As such, it was a proper and necessary instruction. Accordingly, I would affirm.

. Code § 19.2-270.5. DNA profile admissible in criminal proceeding.
In any criminal proceeding, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) testing shall be deemed to be a reliable scientific technique and the evidence of a DNA profile comparison may be admitted to prove or disprove the identity of any person. This section shall not otherwise limit the introduction of any relevant evidence bearing upon any question at issue before the court, including the accuracy and reliability of the procedures employed in the collection and analysis of a particular DNA sample. The court shall, regardless of the results of the DNA analysis, if any, consider such other relevant evidence of the identity of the accused as shall be admissible in evidence.

. "As with most new forms of scientific evidence, the attack upon DNA has been basically two-pronged; the defense seeks to persuade the court (a) that the basic principle is questionable or at least not yet proven; and/or (b) that the testing in the particular case was flawed.” Charles E. Friend, The Law of Evidence in Virginia § 14-11, at 522-23 (5th ed.1999).