THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
and
THE JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL

12 November 1991

VICTOR A. McKUSICK, M.D. JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL

UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF MEDICAL GENETICS Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Tel: 301) 955-6641

(William Osler Professor and Director, Department of Medicine; FAX: (301) 955-4999

Physician-in- Chief, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1973-1985)

TO: Committee, DNA Technology in Forensic Science
FROM: Victor A. McKusick, M.D. Ja"

RE: Final report and related matters

1. Iam sending each of you, by Federal Express, a copy of the latest version
of the Report. This incorporates the overwhelming majority of the points made by
each of you and includes a relatively major revision of Chapter 3 on the basis of
criticisms of it that have come along in recent weeks. (Chapter 3 needs to have
references to recent work and opinions. I am working on that.) I would like to have
your response to the newest draft just as soon as possible; no later than Monday,

November 18.

2. A "leak" of an earlier draft of Chapter 3 occurred through some mechanism
because the committee has obtained a criticism of it from two sources: one, a
prosecutor in Cleveland, Ohio, and the other John W. Hicks of the FBI. The leak of
the document is an impropriety contrary to the unfettered function of our committee.
Be that as it may, we cannot disregard the criticisms given. I am sending you, with

the new draft, copies of the letters from the prosecutor and from Hicks.

3. Iam also sending you copies of the responses of Caskey, Ferrara and
Sensabaugh to indicate their positions on Chapter 3, inasmuch as they were unwilling
to sign off on the earlier draft because of Chapter 3. You should review their
arguments as well as those of the two unsolicited commentators. Does the present

draft satisfy those arguments satisfactorily and is everyone prepared to sign off?