The prosecution called five witnesses to testify about DNA and blood and bodily fluid samples in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on July 30.
Vanessa Bonaparte, 34, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and destruction of property worth more than $1,000. The charges stem from a June 22, 2024 incident in which Bonaparte allegedly stabbed Dwayne Boyd, 31, with two kitchen knives on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE.
Prosecutors called two serologists who study fluid evidence from Signature Science in Austin, Texas to testify about the presence of blood across various parts of the apartment murder scene.
The witnesses explained the process of isolating prospective blood samples and using a series of chemicals to detect whether or not blood was present. In the present case, the testing included samples from window panes, walls, kitchen floors, a bedroom doorknob, and slippers. In addition, the forensic technicians tested a sample of Boyd’s fingernail clippings. The witnesses confirmed that blood was present in each of the aforementioned testing locations.
The prosecution also called two evidence technicians from Signature Science to the stand who assisted in serology procedures and DNA collection in the case.
In addition, the prosecution called another analyst from Signature Science who explained that the prosecution sent him reference DNA samples from “people of interest,” as well as Bonaparte and Boyd, to compare to swabs from the crime scene.
The analyst used a software called STRmix to run a statistical analysis on blood swabs from the scene, concluding they were likely Boyd’s. In addition, in samples from a slipper the analyst found evidence of DNA from three individuals with one male contributor. He concluded one of the contributors was likely Bonaparte.
In cross examination Bonaparte’s attorney, Kevann Gardner, asked the analyst to define the term “people of interest.” The witness explained that it is a label they place on reference samples when comparing DNA and it is not equivalent to a suspect in a crime.
The trial is slated to continue on Aug. 3.
