MINNEAPOLIS — The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is investigating the origin and impact of a contamination that may have impacted dozens of DNA samples at their lab.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Laboratory (HCSO) halted all DNA analysis casework when the sporadic contamination was discovered, officials with the sheriff's office said. There are at least 50,000 samples at the lab, of which 75 were potentially impacted.
A spokesperson with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said they are starting their own internal review process and communicating with defense counsel.
“The most recent update provided to our office from the HCSO Crime Lab indicates that approximately 75 samples are potentially impacted. We are working continuously to identify any affected cases and are collaborating closely with the Crime Lab. We are committed to transparency and to ensuring integrity in all of our work," the attorney's office said in a statement to media.
The attorney's office spokesperson says they were notified on September 26. HCSO released a public statement confirming the DNA contamination on Oct. 14.
"Had this not been brought up by the media, how long would it have gone on before they notified defense attorneys?" long-time defense attorney Michael Brandt said.
Brandt is just one of the many defense attorneys who believe an outside agency of some sort should review and investigate the DNA contamination.
"Trust but verify," Brandt said.
The sheriff's office said that because the contamination comes from an "unknown DNA profile, no criminal charges or convictions could have resulted from this contamination."
"Our number one priority remains the integrity of our case work and ensuring the accuracy of DNA analysis," the sheriff's office said in a statement.