For two years, German police have been stalking the most prolific serial killer in its history — a rare female serial killer connected to 39 murders with DNA traces Germany, Austria, and France. They offered 300,0000 euros to anyone who would help find her and hundreds of detectives interviewed 800 women convicted of crimes in the country. They have finally found her.
The culprit turns out to be a woman working in a factory who made the cotton buds used to collect samples at crime scenes. This would explain why her DNA was found in bottles, tank lids, on bullets and even a biscuit! The company in Hamburg appears to have been careless in its training or supervision. It has been making the product since 2001.
Now here is the twist, next week they will find that she is a genius Hannibal Lector who took the job to cover up her serial murderous crime spree.
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This illustrates why investigators and the courts must use DNA evidence with extreme caution. The police and many people who serve on juries are often not educated enough to understand the technology and the potential pitfalls.
Contamination of DNA is a serious issue. Your choice of “under their watchful eye” infers shody, stupid police officials and suggest its the norm. In fact in one of the cases a female police officers was killed, and as such much manpower, and money were committed to apprehend dangerous criminals.
As in DWI arrests, defense lawyers question the integrity of the equipiment ( calibration, certification, cleansing, proper mainteance and qualified test admininistration by trainned personnel. Im sure this will open up the flood gates by defense counsel to suggest the DNA is not reliable because the supplies, equipment and or personnel are not up to par and or al la O.J. and Barry Scheck cops planted or intentionally contaminated the scene.
DNA is a new science and frees innocent persons and puts bad guys away. I will keep my eyes out for bad guys even if you are dismissive about hard working cops.