....DNA HAIR SHAFT ANALYSIS
THE PROBLEMS....
First, this post is mainly for those who have been following the DNA threads and ancestry on other blogs, it raises a number of issues that have significant implications for the case.
Below is a quote from Professor Abbott made on 12th August on the Identifying The Somerton Man FB page:
"This case in the USA was solved exactly the same way we found Charles Webb aka Somerton Man.They even used hair shaft without a root like we did. They announced their result a few days before ours. Though our case does hold the world record for doing it on the oldest hair without a root."
Talking with a good and trusted, Adelaide-based friend, our discussion found its way to the issue of Carl Webb and the matter of the recent DNA discovery.
I should point out that this friend is an experienced researcher and has a good knowledge of the Somerton Man case. I should also say that I do not consider myself an expert in DNA issues.
We agreed that there were 2 significant issues with the discovery:
1. DNA. According to fairly recent studies (2019), it was found that there is nuclear DNA in rootless hair samples and plenty of it. The problem though, according to this study, is that it is of very low quality
'In conclusion, these studies totally debunk the myth that there is no nuclear DNA in hair shafts. Instead, there is plenty of nuDNA present, but this DNA has become highly degraded during the formation of the hair shaft. Therefore, since nuDNA in shed hair has been characterized to be in high amount but not pristine, more studies should focus on developing assays that particularly tackle these very degraded samples.'
Here's the link to the full article: https://www.ishinews.com/no-nuclear-dna-in-rootless-hair-myth-or-fact/
A recommended read for those following the case.
2. CROSS CONTAMINATION. This issue raises some serious doubts about the samples that were taken from the bust. Let me explain, prior to the passing of Paul Lawson, the man who actually made the plaster bust from which the hair samples were taken. In the two years leading up to his death, I was asked by Paul to conduct a series of interviews with him regarding his work in creating the bust and a number of related matters.
It is not widely known, although I have published on the subject on this blog, that due to the poor condition of the man's face, Paul modeled the facial and hair details of the man using the police photographs taken at the time of the autopsy.
I suggest that you consider carefully the implications of the following:
The first stage:
- Paul modeled the face prior to applying the mold
- The modeling was done with his bare hands as you would expect in the creation of what was, a sculpture.
- He applied quantities of mortuary soap to the hair to smooth it out and keep it in position before applying the mold mixture. He used his bare hands for that task as well.
- The man's shoulders and the detailed sculpture of the head and face were now ready to receive the mold.
The second stage:
- A mixture was applied to the upper body and head to prevent/minimise the likelihood of the mold not properly 'gripping' the surface of the subject and at the same time allowing the easy removal of the mold when ready. Please note the mold mixture used by Paul at the time was that which you would use to make multiple copies as opposed to a one-off bust.
- The mold mixture was applied and left to dry then subsequently removed.
- Paul found that the process was very difficult to such an extent that he had to break away the mold piece by piece.
The problem then in regards to the hairs taken from the bust is this, in the analysis process did anyone consider that a quantity of the hairs taken from the bust would have belonged to Paul Lawson?
Those hairs would have been shed from his hands when he was sculpting the head/face.
Paul was assisted by two Detectives in his task of creating the bust. I wonder if the relatives of these two men have had their ancestry or DNA tested.
The bottom line is that it would be wise to await the results of police examination of the exhumed remains before apending valuable time and effort researching what may or may not be true
Long Tan. Lest We Forget.
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