Archive for March, 2012


DNA leads Police in Search of a Ghost

Filed Under: DNA Testing by dnatesting101 — 3 Comments
March 30, 2012
Gareth Williams 001 DNA leads Police in Search of a Ghost

Courtesy: PA

The mysterious death of Gareth Williams, of the United Kingdom, took a surprising turn when a human error could have been at fault during the evidence collection. Williams was a top secret code breaker and a MI6 spy for the UK’s secret eavesdropping unit.

Williams was found dead in his London flat over 18 months ago in a bag zipped and locked from the outside. The “typographical error” made while evidence was being collected caused police to search for a suspect that never existed. The DNA error was only a partial profile and it caused police to be lead astray for over a year.

The Williams family believes that a third-party, possibly an agency in the secret services, tampered with evidence after Williams had died, in order to cover up and hide proof of activity that Williams was involved in. Supposedly there was no panic by his employer when he did not show up to work which begs the question even more. By the time authorities showed up to his home, the body had been so decomposed that much of the evidence was lost.

It is incredible how important DNA tests can be. Just a small miscalculation or input error can do something like this; send authorities after a “ghost” for 18 long months. For this to break to the Williams family is a tragedy.

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DNA Evidence Exonerates Michael Morton of Killing Wife, 25 Years Later

Filed Under: DNA Testing by dnatesting101 — 2 Comments
March 26, 2012

‘It’s not every day that a convicted murderer clears his name and then returns to court to argue that his prosecutor should be prosecuted. But that’s what happened recently in a high profile case in Texas that raises broader questions …’  -60 Minutes

Bittersweet Ending Michael Morton 300x199 DNA Evidence Exonerates Michael Morton of Killing Wife, 25 Years Later

 

Michael Morton was a normal family man with absolutely no criminal record when his life turned upside down. On a day that started just like any other, Morton went to work leaving his wife and toddler at home. He returned from work to find the sheriff at his house and the horrible news that his wife, Christine Morton, had been brutally murdered in the couple’s bedroom. Just six weeks later Morton’ was in prison- charged, and later convicted, of the vicious killing. Despite Morton’s claims that he ‘did not do it’ he was sentenced to life in prison.

Michael Morton Family 300x168 DNA Evidence Exonerates Michael Morton of Killing Wife, 25 Years Later

It wasn’t until recently that a Houston private attorney and lawyers from the Innocence Project were given permission to re-open the case and find evidence that would later lead to Morton’s freedom.

After spending nearly 25 years in prison, Michael Morton was recently exonerated of the killing because a simple DNA test proved him innocent.

The power of DNA testing proves itself over and over in cases like this; Michael Morton , Cornelius Dupree, Michael Green, Derrick Williams and so many others. Each of these men spent countless years in prison for a crime they did not commit.  DNA testing proved their innocence and gave these innocent victims their freedom back. It’s just unfortunate that so many years of their lives were lost in prison beforehand.

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‘Big Papi’ Ready to Put Paternity Nightmare Behind Him

Filed Under: DNA Testing, In The News by dnatesting101 — 1 Comment
March 19, 2012
big papi 200x153 custom ‘Big Papi’ Ready to Put Paternity Nightmare Behind Him

Photo Courtesy: Boston Globe Photo / David L. Ryan

Recent accusations have put Boston Red Sox power slugger, David Ortiz, in the middle of a paternity scandal. Ortiz, known to baseball fans as ‘Big Papi’, was accused of being the father of a 17-year-old boy in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican media has been harassing Ortiz about neglecting his paternal responsibilities, as the professional baseball star has denied ever meeting the mother of the boy.

To end speculation and to further prove his innocence, David Ortiz has taken an accurate paternity DNA test. The result? David Ortiz is NOT the father of the boy. In fact, the test revealed a 0.0% chance of Ortiz being the father.

Upon hearing the results, Ortiz has fired back with criticisms aimed at Dominican authorities and media who performed an inadequate investigation of the woman’s claims and reported stories of speculation respectively. According to the media, Ortiz had this to say:

“The test shows that there was a 0.0% chance that boy was my son” and “It’s a shame that there are people who do this type of thing and that make accusations like those that were made against me.”

David Ortiz goes on to say that he is disappointed at the fact at spending thousands on legal fees for a case that required a simple investigation. The baseball player is also concerned about the damages he might have suffered in reputation.

History repeats itself

Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the first time a celebrity has been caught up in a paternity scandal. 2011 saw Arnold Schwarzenegger, Don Francisco and January Jones, all involved in scandals. However, one of the most famous scandals of 2011 involved teen pop-singer Justin Bieber taking a paternity DNA test to prove he was not the father of a 3-month old child.

Visit the GTLDNA website for questions regarding paternity and other types of DNA tests.

 

 

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Celebrity Infidelity Scandals; Is Your Spouse Cheating?

Filed Under: In The News by dnatesting101 — 6 Comments
March 9, 2012

tigerwooods 183x161 custom Celebrity Infidelity Scandals; Is Your Spouse Cheating?It’s no myth. The divorce rate in the United States is high. Although experts are attributing the high rate to a number of reasons, the most common reason for a divorce seems to be infidelity, or cheating.

You hear about it from your friends, family and even in the news. Infidelity is a common fear between couples. Although more people tend to place focus on celebrity infidelity scandals, it’s important to understand that cheating exists whether you’re famous or not. Do you suspect your spouse is cheating? Would you like to be certain? Then you should consider an infidelity DNA test.

A reliable infidelity DNA test will give you the concrete evidence you need to determine whether or not your spouse is cheating on you. Strictly confidential, the DNA test will allow one to see whether or not there is any other DNA present in a spouse’s article of clothing. With the countless celebrity scandals in the news, taking an infidelity DNA test can help end all of your suspicions.

Scandalous Celebrities

Celebrities seem to steal the headlines whenever there is an infidelity scandal – and there seems to have been plenty of infidelity scandals in Hollywood. With that being said, here are 4 celebrity infidelity scandals:

Tiger and his past cougars

One of the greatest golfers in the world was hit with a major distraction at the end of 2009. Just before it was made public that Tiger Woods had an affair with Jamiee Grubbs, a cocktail waitress who released over 300 revealing text messages from Tiger, Grubbs received a phone call from Tiger’s wife, Elin.

Tiger Woods finally confessed to having an affair with Jamie Grubbs and after the scandal, and now the golfer has admitted to having sexual intercourse with over 100 women. Tiger and Elin are now divorced.

Schwarzenegger gets terminated (caught)

Former actor and California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, shocked the world when not only did he admit to having an affair with his housekeeper, but as a result, he fathered an illegitimate child in the process. After confirming his paternity, Arnold’s wife, Maria Shriver, moved out of the house.

The scandal proved to be too much for the couple as the two are now divorced.

Jesse James’ tattooed ‘bombshell’

After winning an Oscar for her magical performance in ‘The Blind Side’, Sandra Bullock delivered one of the most lovely and devoted words of thanks and appreciation to her husband, Jesse James. Unfortunately, it was that very speech that triggered the nerves of Michelle McGee, a woman Jesse James was secretly having an affair with.

‘Bombshell’ McGee announced to the public that she was having an intimate relationship with Jesse James. Sandra was broken by the news as she filed for a divorce and moved to Texas.

Kobe’s scandal off the court

Los Angeles Laker MVP, Kobe Bryant, survived an infidelity scandal years ago when his wife, Vanessa, almost filed for divorce. At the time, Bryant had a slew of girlfriends and his cheating was obvious. Kobe promised to end his infidelity and go to marriage counseling. However, Kobe found himself in the same predicament as he continued to cheat on his wife.

Vanessa decided to call it quits on the marriage as she filed for divorce from the NBA all-star.

Who do you think will be the next celebrity involved in an infidelity scandal?

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Snooki Engaged and Pregnant, but is Fiancé Jionni LaValle the Father?

Filed Under: DNA Testing, In The News by dnatesting101 — 6 Comments
March 6, 2012
293.snooki.ls.3512 Snooki Engaged and Pregnant, but is Fiancé Jionni LaValle the Father?

Snooki Engaged? - Image from EOnline!

Entertainment headlines have been buzzing about the initial news of a little Jersey Shore baby joining the GTL crew for next season. Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi shocked last week with rumors of a pregnancy and now jaws drop even further as she rocks a new rock on her ring finger. Can Snooki really be pregnant and engaged?

Snooki and her reps haven’t denied on confirmed the engagement and pregnancy allegations. But she recently stepped out for a stroll where she is filming her reality spin-off in Jersey City with a very blinged out ring on her left ring fingers. It is safe to assume that boyfriend and now fiancé, Jionni LaValle, popped the big question.

Fortunately the ring was to Snooki’s liking and approval because she was quoted as saying, “I know he’s the one so I know the ring’s gonna come soon.”

“Well, not soon-soon. He knows it should be big, cause if it’s small I’m saying no. Like, ‘get another ring!’” Snooki added.

Was this engagement pushed forward out of wedlock?

Is Jionni LaValle the Daddy?

Moving onto other Snooki drama, there is also news that a little Snooki or Jionni may be entering this world. Page Six claims that Snooki is three months far along in her pregnancy.

Ex-boyfriend, Emilio Masella has voiced some harsh words and told TMZ that he would “def recommend her to get pregnancy test to see who the father is because I’m sure there are other subjects.”

A paternity test can help Snooki and Jionni confirm that her husband to be is actually the father of this baby. (That is if Snooki is actually pregnant).

Making an average of $100,000 per episode and through her numerous weight loss and product endorsements, Snooki is currently worth over $2 million. A paternity test can help her decide whether she needs to rush into this marriage with Jionni.

At the same time, a paternity test can help Jionni find out about the honesty and trust behind his future wife. Has Snooki gone behind his back or made mistakes while filming Jersey Shore? Is there some infidelity that LaValle should know about now? A paternity test can help the couple find some serious answers to important questions.

snooki Snooki Engaged and Pregnant, but is Fiancé Jionni LaValle the Father?

Snooki lost 20 lbs. in 2011

snooki jionni Snooki Engaged and Pregnant, but is Fiancé Jionni LaValle the Father?

Snooki and Jionni - Is Jionni the daddy of Snooki's baby?

 

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DNA Reveals More about Otzi the 5,300 Year Old Iceman

Filed Under: DNA Testing, In The News by dnatesting101 — 1 Comment
March 1, 2012

A deeper analysis of the genetic material of the Tyrolean mummy discovered in the Italian Alps over two decade ago reveals that when he was alive, Otzi the Iceman had brown eyes, was type O blood type, lactose intolerant, was predisposed to heart disease and had the earliest case of Lyme disease dating back to prehistoric times.

otiz sciencedaily 234x300 DNA Reveals More about Otzi the 5,300 Year Old Iceman

From Science Daily

The Tyrolean Iceman was named after the region of the Alps where he was discovered in 1991 by a pair of hiking German tourists. The body went through a natural mummification process because it was submerged and frozen in ice shortly after the Iceman’s death. Because of this scientists have been able to learn so much about how prehistoric people lived their everyday lives.

Originally examining the mitochondrial DNA of Otzi, scientists were more limited with the extent of information they were able to gather.  A new analysis of Otzi’s full genome sequence found within the nuclei of his cells has disclosed so much more.

A common ancestry line was established between Otzi and present day inhabitants of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Iceman may actually have present day relatives that this genetic code can trace through both maternal and fraternal blood lines. Mitochondrial DNA analysis on the other hand is limited to genetic code pass through the maternal line.

Otzi’s cause of death at 46 was a fatal arrow wound. By searching for both human DNA and the DNA of foreign organisms, scientists found Borrelia burgdorferi microbes. Borrelia burgdorferi microbes are the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.

The article citing this research states, “Sequences corresponding to ~60% of the genome of Borrelia burgdorferi are indicative of the earliest human case of infection with the pathogen for Lyme borreliosis.”

These new leads allow scientists to divulge into the migratory patterns of not only humans but also diseases.

Just through DNA we are learning more about our ancestors of the past, who we are today and what may happen in the future. A DNA predisposition test can reveal over 25 different diseases that you or your loved ones may be genetically predisposed to.

Similar to how scientists have learned that Otzi was predisposed to heart disease and had Lyme disease, people are able to take these genetic tests as proactive and preventative measures for their own health.

Today the body of the Iceman is stored at the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology in Italy at a constant temperature of -6°C. Visit the museum’s website to learn more about Otzi the Iceman.

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