| Courtesy Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office
Krystal Lynn Beslanowitch
As many would expect, M-Vac Systems has been closely following the Krystal Beslanowitch murder trial as it was one of the first major cases the M-Vac was used on and was certainly the case that received the most significant press coverage when the story broke in 2013. With the critical nature of the DNA evidence in this case, especially when the major profile from the murder weapon (rock) was collected by the M-Vac System, we had to be there to witness the testimony and learn how the DNA evidence would be explained, attacked and defended. Emily Jeskie, a DNA analyst who works in Salt Lake City, was the prosecutions witness on 22 September, 2016, and she testified about DNA, DNA extraction, and how the suspect, Joseph Simpson’s DNA was found on the two granite river rocks that were used to bludgeon Krystal to death in 1995. Here’s a rundown of most of the major events or points brought out during the testimony. These were taken directly from Twitter posts throughout the day:
Emily Jeskie on the stand. Describing her credentials, lab accreditation, protocols etc. Worked in DNA testing for 12 yrs #simpsontrial
Emily Jeskie takes proficiency test every 6 months and highly qualified in DNA testing. Has testified in court over 40 times
Emily Jeskie describing DNA profile process and how DNA can survive over long periods of time, especially on evidence
DNA analyst discussing electropherogram from rock. Mixture of at least two contributors but there is a major profile
4 rocks, a cigarette butt and a reference sample form Joseph Simpson were submitted to private lab to be analyzed for DNA
Comparable DNA profiles obtained from 3 rocks, a cigarette butt and reference samples. 2 rocks, cig butt and Simpson matched
2 rocks also matched DNA profile from Krystal Beslanowitch 
M-Vac forensic DNA collection system was used to collect DNA from rocks, careful to avoid blood stains
Jeskie describing statistical analysis of DNA profiles to jury. Some alleles are stronger in certain populations
Jeskie discussing DNA secondary transfer. 21 nanograms Simpson DNA on rock. Usually secondary or transfer DNA much smaller
Defense now cross examining Jeskie. Questioning lab validation practices and Jeskie’s credentials
Defense questioning why lab did not test ALL of item 6 (2 river rocks). Reason is the area untested was victim blood
Defense discussing DNA transfers, including primary transfer from hand (touch DNA) to rock, cheek to buccal swab etc
Defense asking lots of questions about potential DNA transfers, DNA quantities on rocks and vag swabs, where Simpson DNA found
Defense strategy appears to be that Simpson DNA (sperm) was transferred from victim to rock via secondary transfer
21 nanograms DNA material collected from rocks. The major contributor of that is Joseph Simpsons
At quantification, lab determined there was 21ng of total DNA and 8ng of male DNA. That ratio justified STR vs Y-STR test
Ms Jeskie done. Did well supporting DNA work considering tough questions and potential to get tripped up on cross examination
#Simpson #Trial #Beslanowitch #DNA #Joseph #Wasatch #County #Heber #Provo #River #homicide #murder #swab #MVac #coldcase #trial #Krystal
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