Vic: Lab contamination likely cause of DNA mix-up: expert

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2003
Vic: Lab contamination likely cause of DNA mix-up: expert

An inquest's been told contamination in the laboratory is the most likely explanation
for female DNA found on the bib and tracksuit pants of murdered Moe toddler JAIDYN LESKIE.

DNA traces from a female rape victim with no apparent links to the case were found
on JAIDYN's clothing which were recovered in a plastic bag from Blue Rock Dam.

Forensic expert Professor SALLYANN HARBISON says the woman's DNA could have been transferred
from a condom, by a glove, scissors, a scalpel, the laboratory bench, the handles of swabs
or pens used to record notes.

She says given the plastic bag had been underwater for six months, she believed it
would be difficult to obtain DNA from blood stains on the bib and tracksuit pants.





The body of 14-month-old JAIDYN LESKIE was found in Blue Rock Dam near Moe on January
the 1st, 1998 -- six months after he disappeared while being babysat by GREG DOMASZEWICZ.

Mr DOMASZEWICZ was later acquitted of his murder by a Supreme Court jury.

AAP RTV jt/szp/dd/swe/rp

KEYWORD: LESKIE (MELBOURNE)

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