DNA evidence helps connect inmates to other crimes

Published: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 8:30 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 8:30 p.m.

Crime scene DNA evidence is often enough to put a suspect behind bars, and recently it was linked to a Houma man who was already incarcerated, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.

Everyone in Louisiana who's arrested for a felony has their DNA sample taken and put in a database, Larpenter said. When a new person is arrested or if someone who has already been arrested, released and then is arrested again, we have their DNA. So if we find evidence at a crime, we can match it up.

Often DNA collected at a crime scene is first checked against a statewide database of the DNA of suspects arrested for felonies, many of whom are already incarcerated.

Last week, the Sheriff's Office announced DNA evidence linked Desmond Verdin, 18, 26 Kirkglen Loop, to a November armed robbery in the Village East area where he is accused of committing a sting of crimes last year.

In April, Verdin was arrested on three counts of aggravated battery, one count of felony theft, one count of simple battery and two counts of aggravated assault.

He was also wanted early this year in connection with the December murder of 25-year-old Elizabeth Davis, who was killed following a drug deal in the Smithridge area, the Sheriff's Office said. Verdin was eventually cleared of any involvement, though three others have been arrested in connection with the murder.

Now Verdin faces an armed robbery charge after his DNA was found at the scene of the robbery of a restaurant delivery driver.

Without DNA evidence, a crime can go unpunished, Larpenter said.

Without a doubt, it's a useful tool for us, he said. The science is pretty much a hundred percent reliable.

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DNA evidence helps connect inmates to other crimes