This section contains the expert reports, depositions, cirriculum vitae and photographs written and used by forensic investigators for both the Plantiff and Defendant. Drs. Mohammad Tahir and Ranajit Chakraborty were DNA specialists working for thePlantiff. Tahir analyzed DNA samples from Sam and Marilyn Sheppard as well as Richard Eberling and compared them to evidence from the crime scene. Dr. Chakraborty gave his assessment of the statistical strength of Tahir's evidence. Barton Epstein and Terry Laber, a criminologist and forensic serologist respectively, provided their analysis of the blood spatter evidence for the Plantiff. Forensic biologist Toby Wolson and forensic photographer James Wentzel worked for the Defendant, giving their evaluations of the blood evidence.
-
Chakraborty Report on DNA Typing Involving Richard Eberling, Sam Sheppard, and Marilyn Sheppard.
Ranajit Chakarborty
Expert opinion of Dr. Ranajit Chakraborty on the statistical strength of DNA evidence gathered by the plaintiff. He reviews Dr. Mohammad Tahir's reports of 1997 and 1999, as well as Dr. Mitchell Holland's 1999 report.
-
Barton Epstein Analytical Report- 1999
Barton Epstein
Criminologist Barton Epstein's analysis of blood spatter and DNA evidence. Epstein evaluates evidence based on cited trial transcripts, reports and notes made by medical technologist Mary Cowan of the Corner's Office, murder room photographs, and the DNA reports of Dr. Tahir.
-
Deposition of Bart Epstein
Barton Epstein
Deposition of Barton Epstein, criminologist, taken as if under cross-examination at Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's office. Terry Gilbert appears on behalf of the Plaintiffs, while Dean Boland and A. Steven Dever represent the Defendant. Epstein was questioned about his prior experience interpreting blood spatter for criminal cases, relationships with the plaintiffs and the media, and his expert review of the blood spatter evidence from the 1954 and 1966 trials.
-
Trial Testimony of Barton Epstein
Barton Epstein
Transcript of the testimony of Barton Epstein, criminologist, from the 2000 civil trial. Epstein specialized in forensic serology, the study of blood spatter evidence.
-
Barton Epstein Supplemental Report- 2000
Barton Epstein and Terry Laber
This analysis supplements Epstein's report from 1999. The focus is on the blood stains and spatter patterns on Sam Sheppard's watch, photographs of which were not available to Epstein and Laber at the time of the initial report.
It is concluded that there is insufficient blood on the watch to establish a specific pattern or method of deposition. It is also recommended that only the watch photographs taken by July 5, 1954 be used for blood spatter analysis. After that date, testing performed on the watch altered the blood spots.
-
Quality Assurance Standards for Convicted Offender DNA Databasing Laboratories
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Standards for government DNA databasing labs put forth by the FBI that were in place at time of the 2000 trial. These quality assurance (QA) standards address proper sample handling, validation, analytical procedure, and calibration, as well as standards of laboratory organization, personnel certification, and management.
-
Deposition of Dr. Mohammad Tahir
Mohammad Tahir
Deposition of Mohammad Tahir, PhD, taken as if under cross-examination at Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's office. Terry Gilbert appears on behalf of the Plaintiffs, while Dean Boland, A. Steven Dever, and William Mason represent the Defendant. Dr. Tahir was questioned about his relationships with the plaintiffs and Cynthia Cooper, the chain of custody of the samples, laboratory methodology, test results, and the nature of DNA forensic analysis.
-
Lab Report Sent from Dr. Mohammad Tahir to Terry Gilbert- 1997
Mohammad Tahir
Lab report from Dr. Mohammad Tahir addressed to Terry Gilbert. The findings are based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of DNA. Blood from Sam Sheppard's trousers, Marilyn's bed sheet, and a wood chip were compared against DNA profiles of Richard Eberling and Marilyn Sheppard. No reasonable representative DNA profile of Sam Sheppard could be obtained from available samples, so he could neither be included nor excluded.
-
Lab Report Sent from Dr. Mohammad Tahir to Terry Gilbert- 1999
Mohammad Tahir
Lab report from Dr. Mohammad Tahir addressed to Terry Gilbert. The findings are based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of DNA. Blood evidence collected from the mattress and closet stain was tested along with DNA taken from Sam Sheppard's remains and standard saliva samples submitted by Sam Reese Sheppard. Report also references Tahir's 1997 report.
-
Blood Spatter Photographs Referenced by Wentzel
James Wentzel
This digitized and perspective corrected Paul Kirk photo of blood spatter on wardrobe door is referenced in James Wentzel's analysis of photographic evidence. Additional photos from the same evaluation are attached as well. In this part of his report, Wentzel was attempting to demonstrate that decades-old crime scene photographs are useful in blood pattern analysis given that they are quality photographs- in focus, with a scale, and not grainy.
-
Forensic Photography Report of James Wentzel
James Wentzel
Report of James Wentzel, forensic photographer from the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office. Wentzel evaluates the accuracy of analytical reports and testimony based on crime scene and autopsy photographs, particularly the findings of Barton Epstein. His areas of concentration include the Eberling wrist scar, computer analysis of crime scene photographs for purposes of bloodstain analysis, stains on Dr. Sam Sheppard's wristwatch, origins of the blood trail, and the possibility of a "weapon" imprint on the pillow.
-
Scar Photographs Referenced in Wentzel Report
James Wentzel
Photographs referenced in James Wentzel's forensic photography report with exhibit numbers.
Exhibit 550 is the original 8"x10" of Richard Eberling's left wrist from his autopsy. 551 is Wentzel's perspective corrected image, with 552 being the black-and-white version. Exhibit 547 is a close-up of the original autopsy image, 548 is perspective corrected version, and 549 is the black-and-white version of corrected image.
Exhibit 553 is a photo of Marilyn's damaged fingernail, taken at the time of her autopsy.
-
Deposition of Toby Wolson
Toby Wolson
Deposition of Toby Wolson, forensic biologist, taken in Miami, Florida on January 17, 2000. Present were Terry Gilbert representing the Plantiff and A. Steven Dever for the Defense. Wolson was mostly questioned about his training, experience, and expert analysis submitted to the Prosecutor's Office earlier in January 2000.
-
Forensic Report Sent from Toby Wolson to Dean Boland
Toby Wolson
Toby Wolson's expert observations and opinions about evidence from the case after reviewing crime scene and evidence photographs, the testimony transcripts of Mary Cowan and Paul Kirk, reports of Dr. Tahir, James Wentzel, and Barton Epstein, NOVA documentary, and photographic reproductions of Dr. Tahir's test result strips. Topics addressed include the position of Marilyn's body, the position and dominant hand of the assailant, bloodstains on the closet, pillow, Sam's pants, Sam's watch, and throughout the house, and the validity of Tahir's DNA analysis.
