TUES 6 APRIL 2004
Forensic geneticist speaks on work beyond ‘CSI Miami’
By Ryan MorozArgonaut Staff
One woman’s DNA detective work is helping exonerate innocent prisoners and convict criminals.
Kimberlyn Nelson, a forensic geneticist who holds a doctorate in biology from Harvard University, discussed her work Wednesday as she spoke at the second installment of the newly founded Randall Seminar Series focusing on women’s achievements in science. About 70 people gathered in the College of Law Courtroom for Nelson’s noon presentation, “Serial Killers of the Northwest: The Role of Mitochondrial DNA in Crime Scene Investigations.”
Nelson spoke on evidence sample analysis and its legal ramifications. She also discussed analyzing DNA from human cell mitochondria while explaining its use in catching serial killers. Her mitochondrial DNA sleuthing differs from nuclear DNA methods often portrayed on television.
Nuclear testing can identify a single suspect out of a trillion individuals, whereas mitochondrial DNA is used to determine whether possible suspects can be excluded by matching with source samples, Nelson said.
“Unlike nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA is not a unique identifier,” said Nelson, who often provides expert witness testimony in criminal trials. “It still plays a role in solving crime, but you cannot say that that DNA came from that particular individual.”
She used computer graphics and slides to explain mitochondrial DNA’s advantages when nuclear DNA testing is not possible. After providing a scientific overview, Nelson illustrated how these methods helped pinpoint the Spokane serial killer and the Green River serial killer. In addition, her methods have helped identify several sets of unknown human remains and exonerate wrongly convicted prisoners.
Nelson also said men often tackle problems head-on while women tend to use furtiveness. She said the latter is more effective in solving serial killer cases.
“Don’t brute force it; stealth it,” Nelson told the audience.
Before concluding the session to attend a roundtable discussion at 1:30 p.m. in the Idaho Commons Whitewater Room, Nelson said the benefits of her analysis methods to victims and criminal investigations far outweigh the costs.
“We can’t afford not to do DNA testing,” Nelson said.
“Kim is smart and … well-trained, and she’s tough,” said Holly Wichman, a UI biological sciences professor. “She’s managed a very successful career.”
Wichman and other members of the Department of Biological Sciences invited Nelson to campus as part of the new seminar series, which is aimed at encouraging women to explore scientific careers.
Jan Randall, UI alumna and professor of biology at San Francisco State University, donated $25,000 to the department to help attract and educate women in scientific fields at UI, where she started her scientific career. The department will use this money to fund the seminar series for the next five years.
“Jan was here in the ’60s,” said Donna Holmes, chair of the series. “She actually took biological chemistry from Malcolm Renfrew.”
TODAY
Program: “I Quit! Tobacco Cessation”SRC Conference Room
3 p.m.
Ê Internship and Student Employment Fair
SUB Ballroom
6:30 p.m.
Science of the Lewis & Clark Expedition
Palouse Discovery Science Center
7 p.m.
Ê
WEDNESDAY
“Gay and Lesbian Issues in International Law”College of Law, Room 103
11:30 a.m.
Work and Life Program Workshop: “Family Communication”
SRC Classroom
3 p.m.
Ê Biodiesel Forum
Palouse Discovery Science Center
7 p.m.
Union Cinema: “The Triplets of Belleville”
SUB Borah Theater
7 and 9:30 p.m.
Ê Literary reading with Judith Freeman
College of Law Courtroom
7:30 p.m.
“A Celebration of Women” with Sigma Alpha Iota
School of Music Recital Hall
8 p.m
THURSDAY
Software license presentationIdaho Commons Whitewater Room
10 a.m.
Ê Work and Life Workshop: “Stress Management-Session II”
SRC Conference Room
3:30 p.m
Ê Applied Natural Resource Law Seminar
CNR, Room 203
3:30 p.m.
Ê Social justice activist Tim Wise
Agricultural Science Building, Room 106
5:30 p.m.
Ê Union Cinema: “The Triplets of Belleville”
SUB Borah Theater
7 and 9:30 p.m.
UI Argonaut, 301 Student Union, Moscow, ID 83844
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