YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

 

Investigating Officer(s): Det. S. Murphy, Det. T. Armstrong

Case No: 001524-03D-2000

Case Description: Trudi Rose Death Investigation

Det. Murphy received the following email from Ben Newman at the State Crime Lab regarding the preliminary results of tests on Kelly Clinton's hair and blood for arsenic.

TO:	Det. Sam Murphy [[email protected]]
FROM:	Benjamin Newman, State Crime Lab
DATE:	Tue 05/02/00 3:33 PM
RE:	Preliminary results on Clinton tests

Sam,

We haven't finalized the official report yet, but I know you've been waiting for these results. There could be a few changes or additions before the official report is issued, but here are the basics.

The hair samples (taken on 4/17/00) did have abnormally high arsenic levels - between 3ug/ml and 5ug/ml - particularly in the sections furthest from the scalp, with diminishing levels near the scalp, particularly in the ~7mm closest to the scalp. As I said, these levels are above normal, but not drastically so. They are significantly lower than the levels found in samples from the decedent in this case.

The results on the blood tests have not come in yet, but I would expect to see some elevated level of arsenic there too. However, I cannot speculate on what that level might be without further data. I hope those results will be in this week, but you know how these things can go. :-)

I'm sorry we don't have more for you yet, but you know how overloaded we are. I hope what I've given you will help. Give me a call if you have any questions.

Ben