Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'American student's DNA found on knife'

Peter Popham
Thursday 15 November 2007 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Traces of DNA from the murdered British student Meredith Kercher and Amanda Knox, an American accused of killing her in a violent sex game, have allegedly been found on a knife at the home of Ms Knox's lover.

Ms Knox's DNA was discovered near the handle of the knife, while her flatmate Ms Kercher's DNA was found near the tip, according to police in the Italian city of Perugia. The black-handled, 8in kitchen knife was found at the house of Raffaele Sollecito, 23.

According to police, Ms Kercher had never visited Mr Sollecito's house. The blade which yielded the evidence was not one of the weapons he said he was in the habit of carrying at all times – two of which were seized.

The DNA was extracted from minute traces of biological fluid that remained on the blade, even though it had been washed.

Yesterday, police cordoned off Le Chic, the bar owned by the third suspect Patrick Lumumba – a 37-year-old Congolese musician who was said by Ms Knox to have gone to her flat on the night of the murder and to have paired off with Ms Kercher. The 21-year-old, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was found with her throat cut on 2 November.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in