DNA match in Ibrahim Ali murder case as exact as identical twins, B.C. court is told
An RCMP expert testifying at Ibrahim Ali's murder trial says she's never seen a DNA match as close as the one between the suspect and samples found on his alleged victim - except for DNA matches between identical twins.
Forensic biologist Christine Crossman says police investigators were very thorough in their collection and testing of genetic samples from the body of the 13-year-old girl, whose identity is protected by a publication ban.
Crossman says only the DNA of Ali and the girl was detected from swabs of her vaginal area, where sperm cells yielded samples that matched Ali's DNA.
She says additional swabs and generic samples from other areas of the girl's body, including the neck, nipples and hair, were also collected but did not turn up DNA from anyone other than the girl herself.
Ali has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the killing of the girl whose body was found in a Burnaby, B.C., park six years ago.
Crossman told the B.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday that police obtained a “cast-off” DNA sample from Ali in the form of a discarded cigarette butt in August 2018, matching it to an unknown male's genetic material found on the girl's body.
The match led to the police getting a warrant to formally obtain a sample from Ali, which again matched DNA from the body that was found in Burnaby's Central Park.
The defence has not yet revealed its theory of events to the jury.
Crown prosecutors said earlier that the court would hear evidence that showed the murder was random but that Ali sexually assaulted the girl.
A pathologist who conducted the autopsy on the girl testified earlier that she died by strangulation, and a medical examination found injuries such as bruising, scraping and tearing on the back of her head, as well as to her face, arms and legs.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 14, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nearly everything on Wall Street tumbles over worries U.S. headed for a recession
Nearly everything on Wall Street is tumbling Monday as fear about a slowing U.S. economy worsens and sets off another sell-off for financial markets around the world.
Bangladesh's PM resigns and flees country as protesters storm her residence capping weeks of unrest
Bangladesh's prime minister resigned and fled the country Monday, after weeks of protests against a quota system for government jobs descended into violence and grew into a broader challenge to her 15-year rule.
Dam in Chilcotin River will be overtaken by water within hours: B.C. officials
Water is expected to start flowing over a landslide-created dam in the Chilcotin River Sunday night or early Monday morning, according to an update from officials.
3 people in critical condition after 30 to 40 shots fired on Montreal's West Island
Three people are in critical condition after 30 to 40 shots were fired on Montreal's West Island.
Hurricane Debby makes landfall in Florida as Category 1 storm and threatens catastrophic flooding
Hurricane Debby reached the Big Bend coast of Florida early Monday, bringing with it the potential for catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge as it slowly passes over the northern part of the state. Forecasters warned that, in the coming days, record-setting rain could pummel coastal Georgia and South Carolina as the storm heads east.
'Tragic occurrence': Remains of missing seven-year-old girl located in London Ont., Thames River
The remains of a missing seven-year-old girl have been discovered in the Thames River after a multi-day search in London, Ont.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, says speaking out about suicidal thoughts is part of 'healing process'
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has said that being open about her experience of suicidal ideation is part of the 'healing journey.'
U.K. prime minister talks of 'standing army' of police to deal with rioting across Britain
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that a 'standing army' of specialist police would be set up to deal with rioting and that the justice system would be ramped up to deal with hundreds of arrests after violent disorder rocked cities across the nation over the past week.
RFK Jr. says he placed a dead bear cub in Central Park 10 years ago
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a social media video on Sunday that he drove a dead bear cub carcass from upstate New York and placed it in New York City’s Central Park 10 years ago.