Scientist testifies DNA points toward Bruce in child murder

A forensic scientist said the DNA found on Lindsey Bruce's genitals could have come from the girl he's accused of murdering and, at most, 17 other people among the nearly 1.1 million people in Franklin County.

Improved analysis has halved the number of potential contributors of the DNA since 2005, when Bruce was convicted of kidnapping 5-year-old Emily Rimel from her Madison Township bedroom.

Max Larijani, of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, analyzed three teeth taken from a child's skull found along Big Walnut Creek last May. In Common Pleas Court today, he testified that the DNA was consistent with Emily Rimel's.

He said the DNA was also consistent with the DNA taken from Bruce's genitals shortly after Emily's disappearance. Using a statistical formula, he said that 1-in-61,390 people could be the source of the DNA found on Bruce. That would amount to about 18 people in Franklin County, including Emily, who could have been the source.

Emily disappeared Dec. 7, 2004. Bruce was charged with kidnapping her and raping her. In that case, a state forensic scientist said that 1-in-26,930 people could have been the source of the DNA. That amounts to about 40 people, including Emily.

Bruce was acquitted of rape but sentenced last year to 10 years in prison for kidnapping her.

After the skull was found and teeth analyzed, Bruce was charged with aggravated murder and tampering with evidence.

Bruce, a family friend, was at Emily's apartment early the morning she went missing. In this trial, four men who had been in jail or prison with Bruce have testified that he told them he killed Emily.

Bruce's attorneys are expected to begin their case next week. Bruce faces the death penalty if convicted.