PNP Crime Lab says evidence in Campbell slay case spoiled
04/26/2007 | 04:31 PM
(Update) The Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory has failed to get conclusive examination results on several pieces of evidence recovered in connection with the slay of US Peace Corps worker Julia Campbell.
"These items were exposed to sunlight, probably rain, considering the time these were left behind in the area and the time these were recovered by the police officers," said Chief Superintendent Arturo Cacdac, head of the PNP Crime Lab.
The 40-year-old American volunteer was last seen on April 8 and was reported missing three days later. Her body was found in a shallow grave at Batad village in Banaue, Ifugao on April 18.
Her head was bludgeoned by a hard object. Her feet protruded from the muddy soil and grass that covered her body.
Cacdac said the two bloodstained pairs of jeans recovered from the crime scene as well as the house of suspect Juan Duntugan also "yielded negative results" that would have helped in the investigation.
Authorities had earlier raised suspicions that more than one person overpowered Campbell because of the two bloodied pants the police found.
The recovered heavy pestle or rice pounder, which was earlier suspected to have served as the weapon to hit Campbell on the head, also bore "no indication of blood."
Despite the developments, Cacdac said that, "we're not losing hope."
He noted that there was still an ongoing DNA examination which would hopefully help pin down Campbell's killer.
Earlier in the day, Campbell's remains were cremated in the presence of PNP and United States officials in Parañaque City. - GMANews.TV
"These items were exposed to sunlight, probably rain, considering the time these were left behind in the area and the time these were recovered by the police officers," said Chief Superintendent Arturo Cacdac, head of the PNP Crime Lab.
The 40-year-old American volunteer was last seen on April 8 and was reported missing three days later. Her body was found in a shallow grave at Batad village in Banaue, Ifugao on April 18.
Her head was bludgeoned by a hard object. Her feet protruded from the muddy soil and grass that covered her body.
Cacdac said the two bloodstained pairs of jeans recovered from the crime scene as well as the house of suspect Juan Duntugan also "yielded negative results" that would have helped in the investigation.
Authorities had earlier raised suspicions that more than one person overpowered Campbell because of the two bloodied pants the police found.
The recovered heavy pestle or rice pounder, which was earlier suspected to have served as the weapon to hit Campbell on the head, also bore "no indication of blood."
Despite the developments, Cacdac said that, "we're not losing hope."
He noted that there was still an ongoing DNA examination which would hopefully help pin down Campbell's killer.
Earlier in the day, Campbell's remains were cremated in the presence of PNP and United States officials in Parañaque City. - GMANews.TV
