Bo Dukes Trial Day 3 Part 4 Forensic Biologists Lisa Ellison & Ashley Hinkle & Jesse Worley Testify

TL;DR

A forensic biologist discusses her role in analyzing bodily fluids for the presence of blood and semen, and performing DNA analysis to determine the source of the fluids.

Transcript

yes my name is Lisa Li si my last name is ellison e ll is n yes I'm a forensic biologist so that means that I look at evidence for the presence of bodily fluids such as blood and semen I can also perform DNA analysis a DNA analysis if necessary I received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia in 1995 and that was in biology so... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎭 The forensic biologist's primary role is to analyze evidence for bodily fluids and perform DNA analysis to determine the source.
• 👶 Touch DNA analysis is a relatively new field, and while it has its limitations, it can be used to obtain DNA profiles from skin cells left behind by individuals.
• 🥊 The DNA analysis of the glove revealed a mixture of two individuals, one of whom matched Tara Grinstead's DNA profile.
• 🏆 The forensic biologist also tested the glove for the presence of blood, and it tested positive for human blood.
• 👣 Latent print examination is another aspect of forensic analysis, which involves identifying and comparing fingerprints left behind on surfaces by individuals.
• 👣 The examiner used both chemical enhancements and photographs to analyze latent prints on the glove.
• 🖱️ With the use of computer software, the examiner was able to compare latent prints found on the glove to known exemplars from Bo Dukes and Ryan Alexander Duke.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the forensic biologist receive her training?

The biologist received training from the GBI, where she passed written and oral exams and performed tests on practical samples to ensure accuracy.

Q: What is the difference between serology and DNA analysis?

Serology identifies bodily fluids, while DNA analysis determines the donor of the fluids by analyzing the DNA present.

Q: Can DNA be obtained through touch?

Yes, DNA can be obtained through touch if someone leaves behind their skin cells on an object. However, several factors affect the successful extraction of DNA.

Q: Did the forensic biologist compare DNA samples to known individuals in this case?

Yes, the biologist compared DNA samples from the glove to toothbrush samples from Tara Grinstead and other known individuals, but no match was found.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The forensic biologist has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and extensive training from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

• She began working at the Defense Forensic Science Center in 2006, where she continues to analyze evidence for bodily fluids and perform DNA analysis.

• Serology is the identification of bodily fluids, while DNA analysis goes further to determine the donor of the fluids.