Idaho murders: What is 'touch DNA'? Internet questions 'confusing' evidence against Bryan Kohberger
This article is based on sources and MEAWW cannot verify this information independently.
MOSCOW, IDAHO: As the University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger is awaiting his preliminary hearing in June, the internet has claimed the evidence against him is "confusing." Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, were murdered in their off-campus rental home close to the University of Idaho on November 13, 2022. Kohberger was arrested six weeks later, on December 30.
He has since been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and a count of felony burglary. Now, several social media users have raised questions about the evidence brought up against the Idaho suspect, alleging most of it comes from a single source of male touch DNA.
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What is 'touch DNA'?
Touch DNA, also known as Trace DNA, is a forensic technique used for examining DNA left at a crime scene, according to Scientific American. Touch DNA is so-called because it only requires extremely few samples, such as skin cells left on an object after it has been touched or lightly handled, or footprints.
To perform a ‘touch DNA’ analysis, investigators collect cells from the area and use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to replicate the genes in large numbers. Scientists then add fluorescent chemicals that bind to 13 precise places on the DNA and provide a highly specific genetic image of that person. The entire process takes a few days, and forensic labs are frequently overburdened evaluating evidence from other cases.
Internet notes oddities in evidence
Several people questioned the evidence against Bryan Kohberger, as one wrote on Reddit, “The PCA only really gives us 2 pieces of physical evidence, a latent footprint-meaning unseen by the naked eye and a sheath belonging to a Ka-Bar knife with a single source of Male touch DNA. Everything else in the PCA was collected and designed to point in his direction. Isn’t it odd that a professional analyst with years of experience and expertise in identifying vehicles first told the police to look for a very specific make, model, and year of the car in question?”
“But then when their main suspect’s vehicle didn’t fit this narrative LE questioned that analyst’s credibility which lead to LE getting the year of the arrested suspect’s vehicle added to their narrative. Why bring in a seasoned expert analyst to assist only to question his credibility when his original findings didn’t align with your narrative?” the user inquired. "The shreds of evidence are really very confusing," another admitted in response.
Bryan Kohberger's background
Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger reportedly completed a master's program in criminal justice at DeSales University, a Catholic university in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, earlier in 2022. He was a first-year PhD student and teaching assistant at WSU in Pullman, roughly 10 miles from the crime scene. After the arrest, Kohberger reportedly told his former attorney Jason LaBar that he was "eager to be exonerated." During the recent status hearing on January 12, Kohberger gave his consent to waive his right to an early preliminary hearing.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.