I'm in an Honors Natural Science class and we've been assigned a mock trial. The details are below. My question is, how long would the body had to have been sitting before DNA quality was reduced enough to not be 100% accurate in court. Thanks
At approximately 9:00 a.m. Pinellas Police found Bessie L. Watts, 75-years-old dead in her home. Neighbors had not seen her for several days and became suspicious so they called police. She was found lying on the floor of her bedroom, partially decomposed. There appeared to be signs of a struggle. Blood was found on Mrs. Watt?s nightgown and a few drops were also found on the floor by the body. An autopsy determined cause of death to be a single gunshot wound to her head. There were no signs of GSR on her hands or clothing, but there was a significant amount around the head wound. In addition there were no signs of forced entry to her home. No weapon was found.
Interviews with neighbors and friends resulted in a number of suspects who were investigated and questioned. Among those questioned was Samantha White a friend and long-time neighbor of Mrs. Watts. She and Bessie had an argument a few weeks back about a world famous cherry pie recipe. Neighbors heard the two women arguing about the recipe. Mrs. Watt?s had accused Ms. White of stealing her recipe and using it to win the pie contest at the state fair earlier in the year. Neighbors reported that Ms White denied any such doing. Ms. White denies any involvement in Mrs. Watt?s murder, but does admit to being in her home several times to visit. Ms. White has a few bruises on her face and what appears to be a cut on her right hand.
At approximately 9:00 a.m. Pinellas Police found Bessie L. Watts, 75-years-old dead in her home. Neighbors had not seen her for several days and became suspicious so they called police. She was found lying on the floor of her bedroom, partially decomposed. There appeared to be signs of a struggle. Blood was found on Mrs. Watt?s nightgown and a few drops were also found on the floor by the body. An autopsy determined cause of death to be a single gunshot wound to her head. There were no signs of GSR on her hands or clothing, but there was a significant amount around the head wound. In addition there were no signs of forced entry to her home. No weapon was found.
Interviews with neighbors and friends resulted in a number of suspects who were investigated and questioned. Among those questioned was Samantha White a friend and long-time neighbor of Mrs. Watts. She and Bessie had an argument a few weeks back about a world famous cherry pie recipe. Neighbors heard the two women arguing about the recipe. Mrs. Watt?s had accused Ms. White of stealing her recipe and using it to win the pie contest at the state fair earlier in the year. Neighbors reported that Ms White denied any such doing. Ms. White denies any involvement in Mrs. Watt?s murder, but does admit to being in her home several times to visit. Ms. White has a few bruises on her face and what appears to be a cut on her right hand.
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