DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

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NEWS OUT TAKE A LOOK - DNAWitness(TM) Leads Investigators to the Right Man: Louisiana Serial Killer Convicted
Thursday August 12, 12:02 pm ET


SARASOTA, Fla., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DNAPrint genomics (OTC Bulletin Board: DNAP - News) announces that the success of DNAWitness(TM) came full circle as jurors in a Port Allen courtroom returned an 11-1 guilty verdict for the man known as the Louisiana Serial killer, Derrick Todd Lee. This case was the first forensic case in which DNAPrint genomics' DNAWitness(TM) completely changed the direction of the investigation and helped lead to the capture of the prime suspect.
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DNAWitness(TM) is a test that investigators can use to narrow their field of DNA donors based on ancestry information gained from examining DNA left at the crime scene. The test determines proportional European, East Asian, Native American, and Sub-Saharan African ancestry on a 0-100% scale. It also reports the proportions of mixture among these four continental groups on a 100% scale and compares the suspect's profile from a crime scene sample to a photographic database of volunteers to give the investigator an aid in interpreting the profile. DNAWitness(TM) is an investigative tool that has been used by several agencies in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.

"This test can have a profound impact on how fast we capture suspects," said Zach Gaskin, Technical Coordinator of Forensics at DNAPrint. "In the Lee case, the investigators had to go on the information that was available from the eyewitnesses. Unfortunately eyewitnesses can and often do, have many flaws in their stories. In this case, the main flaw was that eyewitnesses identified the perpetrator as a white male, which led the detectives in the completely wrong direction."

DNAWitness(TM) was utilized in this investigation in March 2003 and reported that the unknown suspect was majority sub-Saharan African, dispelling the notion that the perpetrator was Caucasian. Circumstantial eyewitness accounts led investigators to focus on Caucasian males for more than a year while the killing continued. Approximately two months after the DNAWitness(TM) report was issued to authorities and combined with other information, they had Lee in custody.

Investigators in the Lee case opted to perform a "DNA sweep" or "DNA dragnet" of thousands of potential donors to try to match or eliminate possible donors from the DNA profile found linking the serial killer's victims. "Finding your donor by collection from the random man on the street is statistically difficult, but in this case, all the evidence was pointing to the wrong donor profile and they had no choice. This kind of a sweep can cost a police department its yearly budget," said Gaskin. "Especially if the police are looking in the wrong donor group. Had our test been available and used at the beginning of this investigation, we could have saved them a tremendous amount of money. It would have helped them narrow the search and re-focus their investigation. DNAWitness(TM) has the potential to save lives as well by getting violent criminals off the street quickly. How many investigations are being neglected because manpower and resources are being wasted chasing the wrong lead?"

DNAPrint reports that a high percentage of the DNAWitness(TM) cases that come to them are heading in the wrong direction. "The gut feeling and sometimes the eyewitness are just not good enough anymore," said Richard Gabriel, Chief Executive Officer and President of DNAPrint. "We are providing scientific evidence that takes the guesswork out of many cases. This test can change the way we look at the investigative process. A person's life is too important to let a case with DNA evidence transition into a cold case. I think the lesson to be learned by the Lee case is that the technology of DNAWitness(TM) can make a difference. Investigators need to ask themselves if any cases they have, past or present, can benefit by knowing the genetic ancestry of their suspect and having access to a photo database array of similar looking DNA donors. We are at a profound crossroads for DNAWitness(TM) and we hope everyone in the investigative community, from detectives to prosecutors to medical examiners and forensic scientists, will opt to use this new tool. It is available from Lynn Peavey Company, ReliaGene Technologies, Inc. and directly from us. As the first successful conviction of a DNAWitness(TM) case, the Lee conviction was a major hurdle for our presumptive test. It should be clear to everyone that DNAWitness(TM) is a service that can help catch criminals."

About ReliaGene Technologies, Inc.

Founded in 1990 and based in the New Orleans, LA metro area, ReliaGene Technologies Inc. is a leading DNA laboratory facility specializing in human genetic identification and related bio-tech product development. With cutting-edge capabilities for forensic and paternity DNA testing, ReliaGene has now successfully detected human genetic profiles from over 400,000 biological samples, including cases from all 50 U.S. states and over 35 countries worldwide. ReliaGene's Y-PLEX(TM) genotyping systems, first released in 2000, are now sold in over 40 countries with market demand increasing steadily. DNAWitness is available through ReliaGene and for more information, please visit: http://www.reliagene.com.

About Lynn Peavey Company

Lynn Peavey is the leader in providing law enforcement with forensic innovations for use at the crime scene and in the laboratory. Lynn Peavey reaches over 17,000 law enforcement agencies, medical examiners and crime laboratories across the country. The Lynn Peavey Company has an on-line catalog and bound catalog by request for all crime scene materials and including a DNAWitness testing kit. For more information, please visit: http://www.lynnpeavey.com.

About DNAPrint genomics, Inc.

DNAPrint genomics Inc. uses proprietary human genome research methods to develop genomic-based services and products. The Company introduced Ancestrybydna in the consumer market and DNAWitness 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: http://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 [phone]