Additionally, in 2007, as DNA testing and technology improved, Williams defense lawyers sought testing on recovered dog hairs (Polk, 2010). In addition to the dog hairs, the judge permitted the testing of two hairs located on Patrick Baltazar, and the specimens were sent to the FBI’s DNA laboratory in Quantico, Virginia (Polk, 2010). The scalp hairs taken from Patrick Baltazar’s shirt were never conclusively linked to Wayne Williams, despite the FBI’s database only possessing twenty-nine hairs with the same sequence (Polk, 2010). Subsequently, the FBI attributed these results to incomplete samples; however, when the animal hair was tested it revealed the Williams family’s German shepherd possessed the same DNA sequence (Polk, 2010). Furthermore, the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis reported the DNA chain would only be found in 1 out of 100 dogs (Polk, 2010). After examining the key facts surrounding the Atlanta Child Murders, I feel confident the initial prosecution team secured an appropriate conviction against Wayne Williams. Although, the prosecution lacked definitive evidence, I believe each one of those jurors can rest easy at night knowing they convicted the right man beyond a reasonable …show more content…
(2014). Serial Killers Part 5: Wayne Williams and the Atlanta Child Murders. Retrieved from: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/-serial-killers-part-5-wayne-williams-and-the-atlanta-child-murders
Polk, J. (2010). DNA test strengthens Atlanta child killings case. Retrieved from: