DNA

In general usage, DNA is a biological molecule found in nearly every cell of every living organism. Because DNA patterns are nearly unique (shared only in the case of identical twins), and DNA is found in skin, hair, blood, semen and saliva, DNA profiling is an important technique in modern crime investigations.

DNA evidence proved to be quite important in the Duke lacrosse case, most notably on two occasions:
 * when the results of the first rounds of DNA testing came back with no matches to any of the lacrosse players,
 * when it was revealed during a December 15 hearing that subsequent testing ordered by Mike Nifong had found DNA from at least five different unidentified males on Crystal Gail Mangum, and that Nifong had hidden that exculpatory evidence from both defense counsel and from the Court. This was one of the offenses for which Nifong was subsequently disbarred.

DNA evidence played a role at other points in the case, as well, either providing actual evidence in the case or shaping public perception of the case. A significant example of the latter might be an August 02, 2006 story in the Raleigh News & Observer headlined "Two Duke lacrosse DNA tests are positive". The lead paragraph says that investigators "recovered two positive DNA specimens from players who lived at the house". Not until several paragraphs into the story is it revealed that the specimens in question were recovered from the bathrooms of the house where both players (Matt Zash and Dave Evans) lived. Kerry Sutton, acting as attorney for Zash, said, "The fact that Mr. Zash's DNA in any form was found in his own bathroom is evidence of nothing related to his case." Brad Bannon, as attorney for Evans, said, "It seems to me that the state of North Carolina has spent thousands of dollars to prove that a young college man's DNA is in his house."