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Author: Yujiemi Chisholm
District Attorney’s Office, Denver, CO

State of Colorado v. Steven Cumberbatch – Case Documents

These case documents pertain to the 1994 Colorado murder-sexual offense case, State of Colorado v. Steven Cumberbatch, and collectively outline the parties’ legal positions concerning alleged evidence destruction, due process considerations arising from delayed charging decisions, and the scope of admissible background evidence at trial. The materials include: (1) the prosecution’s response to the defense’s motion to dismiss based on alleged destruction of evidence; (2) the prosecution’s response to the defense’s motion to dismiss due to pre indictment delay; and (3) the prosecution’s motion in limine.
October 2022
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CBS 12 News

New funding to help solve Palm Beach County cold cases

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) will receive a $500,000 grant through the Department of Justice’s ‘Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA’ program. According to PBSO, the sheriff’s office can now send DNA to private laboratories that use genetic genealogy testing. This testing option is currently not available at the sheriff’s office.
October 2022
Publications

Forensic Genetic Genealogy Laboratory Considerations and Technology Limitations

The application of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) has technological limitations and will not resolve every case. By taking the time to thoroughly evaluate cases and associated evidence with both local crime laboratory representatives and FGG vendor laboratory representatives, law enforcement investigators can greatly increase the chances of attaining successful case resolutions with FGG. This brief provides the SAKI TTA Team’s guidance on evidence submission based on current successes seen within the field and suggested questions to consider when choosing a FGG laboratory vendor [Description provided by the SAKI TTA website].
October 2022
Additional Resources

Forensic Genetic Genealogy Laboratory Considerations and Technology Limitations

The application of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) has technological limitations and will not resolve every case. By taking the time to thoroughly evaluate cases and associated evidence with both local crime laboratory representatives and FGG vendor laboratory representatives, law enforcement investigators can greatly increase the chances of attaining successful case resolutions with FGG. This brief provides the SAKI TTA Team’s guidance on evidence submission based on current successes seen within the field and suggested questions to consider when choosing a FGG laboratory vendor [Description provided by the SAKI TTA website].
October 2022
District Attorney’s Office, Denver, CO

People’s Response to Defense Motion to Dismiss for Pre-Indictment Delay (State of Colorado v. Steven Cumberbatch)

Prosecution’s response to the defense’s motion to dismiss the case due to a pre-indictment delay in a Colorado murder-sexual offense case that occurred in 1994. The response addresses the defense’s due process arguments regarding the statute of limitations and the unavailability of witnesses and alternate suspects. The response also noted the advances in forensic techniques that occurred since the date of the incident which enabled investigators to utilize the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
August 2022
District Attorney’s Office, Denver, CO

People’s Motion in Limine (State of Colorado v. Steven Cumberbatch)

Prosecution’s motion in limine in the trial of a Colorado murder-sexual offense that occurred in 1994. The prosecution sought to admit “sanitized” police encounters with the defendant that occurred in Denver during the timeframe prior to the murder to limit any unfairly prejudicial details or facts.
July 2022
National Institute of Standards and Technology

Human Forensic DNA Analysis Process Map

The Human Forensic DNA Analysis Process Map is intended to be used to help improve efficiencies while reducing errors, highlight gaps where further research or standardization would be beneficial, and assist with training new examiners. It may also be used to develop specific laboratory policies and identify best practices [Description provided by the NIST Human Forensic DNA Analysis Process Map].
May 2022
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Highlights

Exoneration of Terance Calhoun

In 2007, Terance Calhoun was convicted of sexual assault of two victims. DNA testing excluded him in 2007. Additional DNA testing was performed in 2019 by Bode confirming the original testing. On January 10, 2022, the Michigan State Police reported that a search of the FBI DNA database linked the DNA profile from the condom to a man who “is currently charged with other sexual assault offenses in the Detroit area that are alleged to have occurred between 2007 and 2014.” He was exonerated in April 2022.
May 2022