A founding father of DNA forensics blasts the DNA evidence used in the Amanda Knox trial.

[pnwmom]

And this is highly significant because there is no other evidence that connects her to the murder except for the coerced non-confession that the Court of Cassation ruled inadmissible.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/crime/renowned-uk-dna-pioneer-peter-gill-adds-voice-to-amanda-knox-case/article/397213

Dr. Gill’s professional opinion on the knife correlates with Profs. Stefano Conti and Carla Vecchiotti of the University of Rome. Conti and Vecchiotti analyzed the DNA evidence at the request of the court during Knox and Sollecito’s successful appeal. Conti and Vecchiotti concluded that contamination could not be ruled out because recommendations of the international scientific community regarding Low Copy Number (LCN) samples were not properly followed when testing the knife.

With respect to the collection of the bra clasp, Dr. Gill wrote: “There is strong evidence to show that the failure of investigators to change their gloves in between handling items and potentially touching door handles is high risk, giving credibility to the defense proposition that Sollecito’s DNA was transferred as a result of cross contamination.” Dr. Gill goes on to say that the principle of cross transfer mediated by latex gloves is demonstrably high risk.

Sollecito visited the residence on several occasions, so finding his DNA would be no surprise. In fact, Sollecito was present at the residence shortly before Kercher’s body was discovered. Sollecito attempted to break down Kercher's locked bedroom door, due to growing concerns for Knox’s missing roommate. Two of Sollecito’s fingerprints were found on the outside of Kercher’s door. Investigators most likely made contact with that door multiple times during the course of their investigation. Dr. Gill’s observation that they did so while wearing dirty gloves certainly raises legitimate concerns regarding contamination.

Dr. Gill also analyzed the DNA that was present in the bathroom of the residence that was shared by Knox and Kercher. Three samples in the bathroom showed Knox's DNA mixed with Kercher's blood. With respect to the mixed samples, Dr. Gill wrote: “There was little consideration about the preexisting background levels of DNA that would be present. Knox and Kercher shared the premises—their DNA will be everywhere."

SNIP

Dr. Peter Gill is a world renowned DNA expert. Dr. Gill is a coauthor of the 1985 paper in Nature that introduced forensic DNA testing. After spending many years at the Forensic Science Service, Dr. Gill became professor of forensic genetics at the University of Oslo. He is chair of the DNA commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics, and he has published more than 180 peer-reviewed papers.

SNIP

[cpwm17]

1. Italy certainly hasn't found Amanda Knox guilty beyond a reasonable doubt

and from the little I know, it seems likely she is innocent. The case against Amanda Knox is so wrong in a number of ways, such as there is no motive and the evidence is very weak and flawed.

I presume Meredith Kercher walked in on Rudy Guede, who had broken into Meredith Kercher's cottage. It was Rudy Guede's MO to throw rocks into windows, and if no one responds, Rudy Guede would enter through the broken window. At least one time shortly before he murdered Meredith Kercher, Rudy Guede had stayed in the building. That indicates he could be very dangerous:

Rudy Guede had broken Meredith Kercher's cottage window, obviously to break in the cottage. He then raped and murdered Meredith Kercher.

[pnwmom]

4. They just vacated the guilty verdict. No more appeals -- Amanda and Raffaele are FREE!

[cpwm17]

5. The verdict came down just as I posted that.

Great News!

[Gothmog]

2. Amanda Knox's ordeal is over

This testimony worked

[cpwm17]

3. Knox and Sollecito should be able to sue for malicious prosecution

though it probably won't happen.