DNA tests are invalid – expert

The first defence witness has taken the stand in the case against triple-murder accused Henri van Breda.

Dr Antonel Olckers called into question the validity of the state’s DNA analysis and criticised the “non-compliance of standard operating procedures”.

Olckers, a DNA expert, said she received data for 151 DNA samples, although 216 samples were collected from the crime scene.

Van Breda, 22, pictured, is facing three charges of murder. He is accused of the axe killings of his mother, Teresa, father, Martin and brother, Rudi. He also faces a charge of attempted murder for allegedly attacking his sister Marli, who was 16 years old at the time. She survived but suffered severe brain injuries and cannot recall the events of January 27, 2015, rendering her unable to testify. Henri also faces a charge of defeating the ends of justice.

Olckers told the Western Cape High Court yesterday she disputed the contention of the state’s DNA expert, Lieutenant Colonel Sharlene Otto, that “optimal results” from the testing of the DNA samples indicated non-compliance of standard operating procedures was not significant. Rather, she said “these two statements would be in conflict” and would invalidate the data.

In August, Otto, the chief forensic analyst at the police laboratory, testified that “no unknown DNA was found on the scene” of the Van Breda family home in de Zalze Estate in Stellenbosch.

Van Breda has claimed a laughing, axe-wielding intruder wearing gloves, a balaclava and dark clothing was behind the brutal attack. – ANA

Non-compliance of standard operating procedures in DNA testing invalidates data.

Dr Antonel Olckers Police’s chief forensic analyst