Here is your helpful hint for the day–don’t piss where you rob. It seems that a twenty-seven-year-old Swedish man didn’t get the message. He and his buddy broke into a bank and began emptying safe deposit boxes. They had a couple of partners outside with cell phones keeping tabs on the movements of the security guards. Sounds like a good plan. Unfortunately nature called and one of the thieves had to relieve himself and he did so in a plastic bag which he unwisely left behind.
Urine is simply a liquid that contains a lot of waste products, electrolytes, and other things of the body no longer needs. It doesn’t contain DNA. However, the cells that line the urinary tract do and these are picked up by the urine as it moves from the kidneys to the environment. The police were able to extract DNA from the urine sample the thief so helpfully left behind and were able to identify him in that manner.
Some stories just make you feel all warm and tingly. Excuse me, I’ve got to go hit the head.
The Crime Fiction Writer's Blog 
Mike
March 10, 2011 at 9:31 am
Wait? A seven year old Swedish man? Do they age differently in Sweden? Not sure if that would be more or less impressive.
Great site and great book. Thanks.
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D.P. Lyle, MD
March 10, 2011 at 10:09 am
As Homer would say–Doh!!!! It should be 27.
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Pat Marinelli
March 11, 2011 at 8:19 am
Opps, did you mean he had the brain of a seven year old? Oh, wait, probably not since today’s seven year all probably knows all about DNA.
Thanks for my laugh today.
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D.P. Lyle, MD
March 11, 2011 at 9:40 am
Always glad to lighten someone’s day. And yes he likely does have the brain of a seven year old—at best.
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Lynn Casella
March 12, 2011 at 10:42 am
Hmmm…if he brought his dog with him who also pissed on everything, would that
cause a problem forensically? Or, if he were a blind thief and had his seeing eye dog which pissed? And, yet they might not piss in the same pot.
Love your books…and had to use your Forensics and Fiction for my fiction to figure out ramifications of arm flesh bullet wound and bullet in the chest scenario.
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D.P. Lyle, MD
March 12, 2011 at 11:05 am
Actually they might find two DNAs and know that one was from a dog. And matching the dog’s DNA to his urine DNA might be the clue that put the thief at the scene. There is a very famous DNA case called Snowball the Cat. Google it. Great case. Glad you like the books.
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