Workplace Harassment

THE CRIME: In a case of workplace harassment, a maintenance worker at a Louisiana hospital found his toolbox filled with urine. There were dozens of potential suspects who could have had access to the soiled toolbox, but administrators at the hospital were determined to discover the perpetrator.

THE EVIDENCE: The only evidence provided to Orchid Cellmark was a single dried out cotton swab that had been used to collect the sample from the interior of the toolbox and individual tools.

THE TESTING: Orchid Cellmark performed STR DNA testing on the evidence. Our work produced a male mixture with clear major and minor components.

THE TRIAL: Due to legal concerns regarding potential privacy invasion issues, as well as workplace disciplinary and termination regulations in Louisiana, this matter was dealt with internally by the hospital administration instead of going to trial.

THE MESSAGE: DNA evidence can be obtained from a variety of sources. While blood, semen, and hair are obvious sources at a crime scene, "trace" DNA can be extracted from less obvious sources, including spots of urine, body swabs, articles of clothing (hats and masks are often very rich in DNA), cigarette butts, and soda/beer cans and bottles. Success in the DNA laboratory begins with careful examination and proper collection of potential sources of DNA at the crime scene. The National Institute of Justice’s training program “What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence” is an invaluable resource for all law enforcement officers. The program is available from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij, then click on the “Publications” tab. 

T0 LEARN MORE: To learn more about unusual sample types and case histories, please visit our website, www.orchidcellmark.com