Here is a E-Mail i Just received from the DA office -
Dear *******
Thank you I will pass it on to the Chief, as well as the Commander of Investigations and our Evidence Technicians.
>>> "*** ******" <8888888888888888> 02/14/04 12:43PM >>>
Dear Mr. Gilloffo
Below is a comp. who is helping to fight Crime by way of Dna
testing. They are able to tell Your Race, and eye color from your DNA.And soon will be able to tell your HAIR color as well. Please forward to Chief of Police and other units. For your review -
DNAWitnessT Used to Guide the Investigation of the '97 rape and murder of Susannah Chase DNAPrint genomics (OTCBB: DNAP) of Sarasota, FL confirmed that its DNAWitnessT test was strategically employed in an investigation by the
Boulder, Colorado Police Department.
Susannah Chase, 23 was brutally beaten and raped in December of 1997.
Her body, as well as a DNA specimen, was found several days later.
A representative of the Boulder Police Department has stated, "DNAPrint
reported that the DNA investigators submitted is indicative of someone
exhibiting features that are common to Hispanics or Native Americans.
This information will assist detectives with prioritizing tips and
possibly generate more investigative leads."
DNA is commonly left at crime scenes, but until DNAPrintT developed
DNAWitnessT, no ancestral or physical information could be reliably read
from that DNA (other than gender). The genetic heritage of an
individual cannot be accurately inferred from standard DNA tests.
DNAWitnessT is powered by 175 of the human genome's best Ancestry
Informative Markers (AIMs) and measures an individual's ancestry
admixture from his or her DNA. From simulations and direct
observations, it is known that DNAWitness results are precise to within
a few percent, depending on the type of admixture present.
Standard DNA testing provides a unique identifier from the crime scene
DNA, but in this case, the crime scene DNA did not match any of the
profiles in the FBI's CODIS database, making the identification of the
suspect impossible at this time. Detectives continued their quest to
learn about the donor of the DNA at the crime scene and their search led
investigators to DNAPrint genomicsT, which is the first and so far only
company able to offer this new type of DNA analysis. The test was
applied by investigators to infer physical information about the suspect
from the crime scene DNA, allowing them to focus precious investigative
resources on high value leads related to the crime.
Forensic validation studies of DNAWitnessT have been performed by the
San Diego Police Department Crime Lab, the National Center for Forensic
Science and the Broward County Crime Lab. In July, 2003, a report in
the Journal of Forensic Science provided the scientific rationale and
results of studies related to DNAWitnessT, and the test has since been
covered by Popular Science, US News and World Report, the New York
Times, and national ABC and CBS news programs. DNAPrint genomics T has
successfully determined the ancestral background of over 5,000
individuals.
"We are working with detectives on cases that have gone cold or are at
a standstill," said Richard Gabriel, CEO and President of DNAPrint
genomics, Inc., "we encourage all law enforcement officers to contact
us. In this case, as in others, when DNA WitnessT has been used, the
scope of the investigation has been focused, and resources will be more
efficiently deployed. DNAWitnessT is proving to save time and resources
-- and possibly lives -- by contributing valuable information about a
suspect's ancestry. If there is a crime scene sample of DNA,
DNAWitnessT can help re-direct or focus the investigation. Prior to this
test, this case would remain unsolved until the murderer is caught
committing another crime and that convicted felon's DNA is loaded into
the CODIS system."
"The test costs $1,000, but given the man hours this test can save and
direction it can provide to an investigation where all other leads have
gone cold, it's a reasonable price. The price is not much different from
the expense incurred interviewing human eyewitnesses, yet the
information provided is better than what most eyewitnesses can provide,
said Tony Frudakis, PhD and CSO of the company. "Though our test can
accurately distinguish between an individual of mainly Native
American/European admixture (such as a Hispanic) from one of mainly
European/East Asian admixture (such as an Asian American), a human from
across the street might be hard pressed to do so reliably. This test is
the only one of its kind. We have worked hard over the last four years
building the test and validating it." He continued, "The test is a
presumptive test that can be used by investigators to get a basic
description out on the wire to other investigators and departments. It
is an investigator's tool, not an identity tool. Once the pool of
suspects has been narrowed down, then the standard DNA identity testing
can be performed, under court order if necessary, to substantiate the
potential guilt or innocence of an individual suspect."
"I know if it were my daughter or son that had been murdered or raped,
I would want this test run." said Zach Gaskin, Technical Director of
Forensics. "I frequently give lectures on how our test works and how to
use it. DNA WitnessT is becoming known as a reliable test for law
enforcement across the country and abroad, allowing them to narrow their
field of suspects rapidly. Because DNA WitnessT is a presumptive DNA
test providing information as to how the donor of the DNA sample is
likely to appear or not appear, essentially producing an out-of-focus
photo, it will not likely meet the same scrutiny in the courtroom as the
human identification tests that match a suspect to a crime scene sample.
Nevertheless, we treat the evidence in accordance with policies and
procedures followed by the American Society of Crime Laboratory
Directors Lab Accreditation Board. It is important to note that the
current human identification DNA tests performed by crime labs, known as
STR tests, can only provide gender when you have no suspect to compare
the evidence to. STR testing for criminal cases does require ASCLD/LAB
certification because it actually identifies the individual as the
person present at the crime scene." Gaskin went on to say "DNA WitnessT
provides a general description of the person, not a match, which we
leave to the crime labs. But DNA WitnessT is an extremely valuable tool
for helping detectives narrow the suspect list and focus their resources
on leads that are more in line with the crime scene evidence."
About DNAPrint(TM) genomics, Inc.
DNAPrint genomics Inc. uses proprietary human genome research methods
to develop and sell genomic-based services. The Company introduced
AncestrybyDNA in the consumer market and DNA Witness in the forensic
market in 2003. DNAPrint is developing products in the pharmacogenomic
market and has a disease gene discovery program. The Company is traded
on the NASDAQ OTC Bulletin Board under the ticker symbol: DNAP. For more
information about the company, please visit www.dnaprint.com.
All statements in this press release that are not historical are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act as amended. Such statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties
relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market
acceptance, cost and pricing of DNAPrint's products, dependence on
collaborations and partners, regulatory approvals, competition,
intellectual property of others, and patent protection and litigation.
DNAPrint genomics, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or
undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in
DNAPrint's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,
conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Media and Press Contacts
Richard Gabriel
DNAPrint Genomics, Inc.
CEO/President
(941) 366-3400
AI
