1. What role did DNA sampling play in solving the case?

In the case for Carroll Bonnet who was stabbed to death in his apartment in 1978
went unsolved for 30 years. At the time, there was no advanced technology that could
accurately identify fingerprints. However, with technological advancement this has
changed, the FBI has an Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS),
which according to fbi.gov, “houses known records for approximately 73 million criminal
subjects, is used daily by local, state, tribal, and international law enforcement for current
cases.” (FBI.gov) Latent prints which were found all over Bonnett’s case were unfounded
in 1978, but were used later which helped Identify this cold cases killer.

2. How and when was the DNA collected?

In 1978, Carroll Bonnet who was stabbed in his apartment, had

evidence collected throughout his house which included latent fingerprints
and palm prints. It was believed by the investigating officers that the killer
was trying to wash himself of the blood before leaving. Carroll’s car was also
stolen and found which had additional fingerprints. In 1978, all evidence
was sent out to find a match, but the results were unfounded.

In late 2008, with the help of IAFIS, the case was reopened, at Jerry
Watson, who was serving time in Illinois was linked back to the case. There
was a flyer Ad, that was found where the car was found with Jerry’s
information on it. With the help of a DNA test provided by Jerry Watson,
on October 17th, 2011, Watson was sentenced to life in prison.

3. What should be done with DNA samples from persons who are not
convicted of a crime?

Although kind of a hot take, I believe that DNA samples from persons
who are not convicted of a crime should be thrown out immediately. This
may seem careless, but the United States was founded upon the foundation
of ‘innocent until proven guilty’, therefore I believe for the sake of the
average United States citizen, although it would be wise to keep the DNA
(For Future Cases), it should be disposed of for the protection of said
citizens privacy.
 Work Cited

1. FBI. (1969, December 31). 30-year-old murder solved. FBI.

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/30-year-old-murder-solved