Katanga Murder Trial: DNA Evidence Under Fire
Additionally, they criticized the absence of fingerprint analysis on the pistol and suggested that secondary DNA transfer could have contaminated the evidence. Defense noted that a DNA allele listed in the report did not appear on the electropherogram, pointing to possible discrepancies.
In the ongoing trial of Molly Katanga, accused of the murder of her husband, Henry Katanga, forensic evidence has become a crucial point of contention. The cross-examination of ACP Andrew Mubiru Kizimula, the prosecution's eighth witness in the Katanga murder case, continued this morning at the High Court.
Mubiru, the Police's Forensic Director, tested the DNA samples in the case and has now spent two days under cross-examination by defense lawyers representing Molly Katanga, her two daughters, Martha Nkwanzi and Patricia Kakwanzi.
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During today’s session, Mubiru was interrogated about his DNA analysis of a bedsheet recovered from Molly Katanga’s home. He confirmed that the sheet showed a mixed DNA profile consisting of Molly Katanga's DNA alongside that of two unidentified individuals from the Ugandan population.
The defense has contested Mubiru's findings, accusing him of falsifying the DNA report to incriminate Molly Katanga. According to the Police Forensic report, DNA from Molly, her late husband Henry Katanga, and their daughter Patricia was found on the pistol suspected to have killed Henry Katanga.
https://nilepost.co.ug/news/215688/katanga-murder-trial-defense-challenges-forensic-evidence-claims-dna-was-edited
However, the defense challenged the reliability of these findings, arguing that the forensic procedures were compromised due to the use of outdated software and potential laboratory contamination.
The defense emphasized that control samples, which should have shown no DNA, returned positive results.
Defense attorneys also raised concerns about inconsistencies in Mubiru’s report, particularly the manual removal of "stutter" artifacts, a common issue in DNA analysis that can affect the accuracy of the results.
Additionally, they criticized the absence of fingerprint analysis on the pistol and suggested that secondary DNA transfer could have contaminated the evidence. Defense noted that a DNA allele listed in the report did not appear on the electropherogram, pointing to possible discrepancies.
Mubiru has denied allegations of editing the report but stated that after a qualitative review, a stutter peak was removed. adding that electropherograms are continuously reviewed.
Cross-examination from defense is expected to continue.
