Milan, July 15 (LaPresse) – The male DNA profiles found on both "samples" of the "gauze" used to collect genetic material from Chiara Poggi’s mouth likely originated from "contamination of the original trace," and it is "highly probable" that this contamination came from "a corpse previously subjected to an autopsy." This is the assessment of genetic expert Marzio Capra, former deputy commander of the RIS (Italian forensic science unit) and consultant for the Poggi family, commenting on the repeated DNA test conducted on Monday by the expert appointed by the investigating judge of Pavia, Denise Albani.
"One of the gauze samples showed a Y-haplotype which, while not identifying in itself, is 99% compatible with the legal medical assistant Dario Ballardini," who performed the autopsy on the 26-year-old victim murdered in Garlasco on August 13, 2007, Capra explained. The second sample "showed a Y-haplotype partly overlapping with the assistant's and partly not, so it could be attributable to another male lineage."
"In both cases, the small quantity of material found (between 2 and 4 picograms, less than one single cell unit) suggests that the origin is contamination of the original trace, which belonged exclusively to the victim Chiara Poggi," whose DNA was found in much higher concentrations—around 40,000 picograms.
According to Capra, "the male trace likely contaminated the predominant female one," possibly during the crime scene inspection, autopsy, transport, or handling and storage of the body. "It will be up to the Pavia Prosecutor’s Office to trace the possible original source of contamination," Capra said, excluding the new suspect Andrea Sempio, whose DNA was not compatible with the samples.
"It is very likely," he concluded, "that the contamination came from a corpse previously autopsied with the participation of the same legal assistant, and potentially from his forensic tools—tweezers, scissors, scalpels, saws, suture thread, plasters, cotton wool, and gauze."
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