Expert: Lack Of DNA In Caylee Case Not Unusual

Expert: Lack Of DNA In Caylee Case Not Unusual
Attorney Also Questions New Casey Anthony Motions
POSTED: 4:48 pm EDT October 1, 2009


ORLANDO, Fla. -- A DNA expert said Thursday it is not surprising that duct tape found on Caylee Anthony's skull lacked fingerprints or DNA.

Dr. Bruce Levy, who also is the chief medical examiner in Tennessee, said it also is not unusual that the FBI found DNA from one of its own technicians in a sample.

Levy's comments come as Anthony defense team seeks to have charges against her dismissed, citing what they call a lack of evidence linking Anthony to her daughter Caylee's death.

Casey Anthony is charged with first-degree murder and is in Orange County Jail awaiting trial next year.

Levy examined the recent FBI lab results on duct tape found across Caylee skull when he remained were discovered in an Orange County woods in December 2008. He said it is not surprising little DNA was left once the body was found.

"If it was on the body while it was exposed to the elements, you may find very degraded DNA or a small fragment," he said.

In its reports, the FBI admitted it did find DNA belonging to one of its own female technicians. Levy said that can happen very innocently and does not mean the lab tests were botched.

"Any person coming into contact or coming near that body can leave DNA evidence unless they're enclosed in a cocoon," Levy said.

WESH 2 has learned that Casey Anthony's defense continues to maintain there is an unknown DNA fragment on the duct tape that does not belong to Caylee, Casey or Cindy Anthony, who is Anthony's mother and Caylee's grandmother.

"I think the defense is going to want to make it as significant as they can...that it belongs to the perpetrator," said Levy.

Levy, a veteran of hundreds of criminal trials, says that might not be Anthony's best defense.

"I think if you want to hang on to one little fact in a sea of facts you may lose sight of the whole case," he said.

Also Thursday, a defense attorney said the motions to dismiss charges against Caset Anthony have no chance of success.

"The motions they filed are lacking in substance and procedurally incorrect," said Richard Hornsby, who has been reviewing the case and speaking with WESH.

For example, Hornsby said ew motion to dismiss murder and aggravated child abuse charges should have been filed by the defense last year.

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