Dangers of “Cold-Hit” DNA Cases

OsagieK. Obasogie (UC Hastings) has a powerful piece in the New York Times highlighting, among other things, a fascinating example of mistaken DNA identification. Available here

It appears that paramedics inadvertently transferred DNA from a severely intoxicated patient they encoutered on one call to a homicide victim they tried to resuscitate on another.  Based on the subsequent DNA hit, prosecutors charged the drunk guy with murder.  (The charges were dropped after five months.) As Prof. Obasogie notes, thecase might have taken an even more tragic path if the intoxicated patient did not have awell-documented alibi.

For local news coverage of the case including the “mysteryabout DNA in the case” see here

– JB