DNA used in bid to tie accused to killing

Clothing stained with a Kelowna murder victim’s blood also contained the DNA of the accused, a Kelowna court heard Monday.

Daniel Garth Ruff, 65, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 51-year-old Warren Welters in June 2015.

The two of them had been living in an upstairs suite on Bernard Avenue at the time.

Christine Crossman, forensic biologist with the RCMP, tested several exhibits from the scene for DNA.

“The focus for the examination on all of these exhibits was on blood,” said Crossman.

Bloodstains on a shirt found at the scene were tested for DNA and found to be a match to a known sample from Welters.

“The estimated probability of selecting an unrelated individual at random in the Canadian Caucasian population with the same profile is one in 18 quintillion,” said Crossman on the probability that the DNA was in fact a match for Welters.

His blood was identified on the front left chest area of the shirt and the back right sleeve.

DNA testing was also done on other areas of the shirt to determine who had been wearing the shirt, said Crossman.

“Often we will take a sample from an area where there is close contact with the skin,” she said.

DNA testing of skin cells was done on the interior back collar of the shirt and the interior front left sleeve of the shirt.

DNA from at least two people, excluding Welters, was identified on the collar, with a major component matching that of a known sample from someone Crossman identified only as having the initials DGR — the same as those of the accused.

“The estimated probability of selecting an unrelated individual at random from the Canadian Caucasian population with the same profile is one in 54 quadrillion,” said Crossman on the probability of the DNA being a match for DGR.

DNA on the interior front left sleeve originated from at least three individuals, including at least one male, said Crossman.

“Due to the weakness of some components and the number of possible contributors, no meaningful comparison can be made to any samples.”

DNA testing on a pair of shorts, a pair of sandals and a hat found at the scene were attributed to a person with the initials DGR.

Blood found on the shirts and the sandals matched the DNA of Welters.

The trial continues.