FORENSIC SCIENCE UNVEILED: SOLVING THIS 2016 SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE
- Cyndi Sanborn
- Jul 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 18
We are always proud of our work in helping solve criminal cases. One of the most rewarding aspects of our casework is guiding detectives in the application of forensic techniques to achieve justice. The following email delves into how our rigorous evidence examination and persistence helped the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) confirm and prosecute two suspects in a harrowing rape case.
The Incident
On the evening of September 3, 2016, two men assaulted a woman sitting alone at the Old Kona Airport Park in Kona, Hawaii. They held her down, covered her mouth to muffle her screams, and violently raped her. Fortunately, a passerby interrupted the assault, causing the attackers to flee the scene. The passerby called 911 and the victim was immediately taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries and a sexual assault kit was collected. She suffered multiple wounds to her face, body, and genitals. She did not know her assailants and was only able to describe them as a “skinny guy” and a “muscular guy.”
The Investigation
Evidence Collection and Witness Identification
The initial response by both the HPD and the hospital nursing staff involved meticulous collection of evidence from the victim and the crime scene. This included gathering biological samples, clothing, and other trace evidence which was sent to a local lab for forensic testing. Additionally, witness identification allowed the HPD to apprehend two individual suspects who are referred to as Male A and Male B.
Forensic Analysis and Challenges
Initial testing on the collected samples and victim’s clothing performed by the local lab determined them to be negative for semen, and no further testing was pursued on these items. A swab of dried secretions taken off the victim was tested. The sample was a mixture of at least two individuals wherein the victim and Male A could not be eliminated, however this was deemed insufficient to charge Male A with rape. DNA evidence was unable to connect Male B to the crime.With limited data to aid the prosecution in their pursuit of justice, HPD turned to Forensic Analytical Crime Lab (FACL) for additional assistance and a further look at the evidence.
Reviewing and Re-Testing Evidence
HPD requested FACL to review the previous testing results and recommend re-testing or new testing of evidence items. FACL’s DNA analysts recommended both.Re-examination confirmed the absence of semen on the swabs collected from the sexual assault kit. However, even in the absence of semen, traces of DNA from other body fluids can be left behind during sexual intercourse, so the absence of semen in this instance did not deter our efforts to obtain genetic information from the sample. A very small quantity of male DNA was detected in the presence of an abundance of female DNA. With this result we no longer considered pursuing traditional STR testing because any male DNA profile would simply go undetected in the sea of female DNA. We instead chose to analyze the victim’s sample using Y-chromosomal STR (Y-STR) analysis, which captures genetic information from only the male-specific Y chromosome. The Y-STR DNA result from the victim’s sample was a mixture of two males – one major contributor and one minor contributor. Male A could not be eliminated as the major contributor, and Male B could not be eliminated as the minor contributor.
New Evidence Testing
One important step of the sexual assault kit includes collection of pubic hairs using a fine comb. FACL examined the victim’s pubic hair comb and pubic hairs, which were not previously examined. It is common for skin cells to transfer from one person to another through perspiration during sexual intercourse. Knowing this information, FACL swabbed the comb and the hair debris, and this combined sample resulted in a greater percentage of male DNA than what was recovered from the victim’s sample. Again, we performed Y-STR analysis and the resulting profile showed a mixture of DNA from two significant male contributors. In this case all major alleles detected could be attributed to Male A and Male B.
Charging, Adjudication and Sentencing
The district attorney now had enough evidence to move forward with prosecuting Male A and Male B. The apprehended men, now faced with the strong DNA evidence corroborating their involvement, admitted their guilt and took plea deals mid-trial. They are now serving prison sentences for their crimes (20 years and 11 years, respectively). This case underscores the importance of Y-STR testing and of not giving up when the first pass of evidence examination does not yield promising results.
The Power of Forensic Science
This Kona sexual assault case highlights the invaluable role of skilled and diligent forensic scientists in solving crimes. The analytical approach of FACL’s DNA expert, who re-examined evidence and employed creative testing strategies, was instrumental in leading to the identification and prosecution of the suspects along with achieving justice for the victim and ensuring safety within the community.
For more details on this case, visit:
Comments