A journeyman boxer was arrested in a clever FBI ploy to collect DNA evidence worthy of a CSI episode.
Martin Tucker is a 32-year-old welterweight with a career 8-10 record. He hadn't won a fight in seven years. That is, until his victory over previously undefeated up-and-comer Michael Torres in April.
During the fight, Torres snuck a couple shots past Tucker's defense and was able to bloody the veteran fighter, reports the Boxing Scene.
Little did Tucker know at the time, but these shots would lead to FBI evidence linking Tucker to a 2009 bank robbery.
As Tucker's cornerman stuck a Q-Tip up Tucker's bloody nose, a FBI investigator stood eagerly by and swiped the bloody Q-Tip when given the opportunity. The Q-Tip was then taken back to FBI labs where agents were able to match Tucker's DNA with DNA taken from a ski mask that was used in the robbery, the Boxing Scene reports.
This week, Martin Tucker was finally arrested. While things may not look good for the boxer, he should know that DNA evidence is not unassailable.
Frequently, challengers of DNA evidence will focus on the behavior of the investigators and forensic analysts in an attempt to cast doubt on the results of DNA profiles.
For example, a lab scientist may have improperly handled and stored the DNA evidence. Or the FBI investigator may have mishandled the Q-Tip when retrieving it initially. Another well-known athlete, O.J. Simpson, was able to beat DNA evidence with such arguments. Though it's doubtful that the journeyman boxer arrested in this case will have the resources available to hire such a dream team of lawyers for his defense.
Related Resources:
- Bloody nose leads to boxer's arrest (The Detroit News)
- Boxer Arrested For Bank Robbery After FBI Gets DNA From Bloody Q-Tip Used During Fight (The Big Lead)
- NY to Collect DNA From All Convicted Criminals (FindLaw's Blotter)
- Cold Case Murder, Rape Solved After 36 Years (FindLaw's Blotter)
