Meredith Kercher case- comprehensive evidence list

Evidence list

A comprehensive list of the evidence in the case. The list is not exhaustive, but it highlights some on the main elements of evidence and how the evidence contradicts some theories of the case.

Wounds

back of the skull- bruising of scalp and hemorrhage
top of the skull- lighter bruising of scalp and minor hemorrhage
eyelids- reddish coloration
fine spots notable mostly on the right eyelids
nostrils- bruising
lower lip- small bluish bruising
lower left lip- tenuous areas of damage
inside of the upper and lower lip, left side- numerous small bruises
lower gums- bruising
biting of the tongue
left cheek- cut 2,2 cm long
left cheek- second smaller cut 0,6 cm long
left cheek- third smaller cut also 0,6 cm long
left jawbone- oval bruising 2,5 cm x 1,8 cm
left jawbone- round bruising 1 cm diameter
under left jaw- round bruising 0,5 cm diameter
right jawbone- round bruising 2,2 cm
right jawbone- round bruising 1,0 cm
right jawbone- additional round bruising 1,0 cm
under the chin- an open wound 1,6 cm x 0,4 cm
left side of neck- gaping wound 8 cm long and 4 cm wide that shows inside tissue and bone; the wound is 8 cm deep
left side of the neck- damaged edge and bruise 0,2 cm wide at the upper back end of the wound, closest to the ear
left side of the neck- damaged area 1 cm wide just under gaping wound
left side of the neck- additional cut 1,4 cm x 0,3 cm with 0,2 cm contusive edge and tail at the left side; cut is 2 cm deep and intersects gaping wound
left side of the neck- damaged area on the front side of this cut
left side of the neck- additional cut 2 cm long
right side of the neck- roundish bruising 3 cm diameter
right side of the neck- cut 1.5 cm long and 0,4 cm wide, with very small tail; the wound is 4 cm deep
right side of the neck- bruising of irregular form 0,5 cm long
right side of the neck- linear bruising 1,5 cm long
left side base of the neck- linear bruising 0,8 cm x 0,4 cm
left side base of the neck- additional linear bruising 1,5 cm x 0,2 cm
left side base of the neck- additional linear bruising 1 cm long
neck- internal bleeding from bruising
neck- internal bleeding on the right side around the narrow deep knife wound
small hemorrhage in the right thyroid gland
right thyroid artery cut (part of wound 23)
tongue bone fractured
left elbow, front area- roundish bruising 1,2 cm x 1 cm (the left elbow bruises are corrections to the autopsy report made by the coroner during Massei trial testimony; the coroner report incorrectly notes these as right elbow bruises)
left elbow, front area- second roundish bruising 1,2 cm x 1 cm
left elbow, back area- light bruising, possibly hypostastic (this is an additional bruise noted by the UACV and discussed by the coroner during Massei trial testimony)
right elbow, front area- light bruising (noted by the UACV and in the autopsy video)
right forearm- bruising 1,8 cm x 1,4 cm
right palm- cut 0,6 cm long
right palm- linear bruising 2 cm x 0,3 cm
right palm- cut 0,3 cm
right hand first finger- cut 0,3 cm on the fingertip
left hand second finger- cut 0,6 cm on the first phalange
left hand thumb- linear bruising (noted in the autpsy video)
lower abdomen, left iliac crest- bruising
lower abdomen, right iliac crest- bruising
right rib cage- old linear bruise (noted in the autpsy video)
left pelvic flank- small minor bruises (noted in the autpsy video)
left thigh- round bruise 1 cm
left thigh- second round bruise 1 cm
left thigh- third round bruise 1 cm
right thigh- light bruising (noted in the autpsy video)
right shin- round bruise 2 cm
right foot- old scar likely from an operation
inner labia, inside face, left and right, vaginal entrance- multiple small bruisings.
dilated anus
sphincter area- small bruisings

Wound interpretation and testimony

There were two major knife wounds in the neck. The left knife wound (21 in the list above) was long and gaping. The right knife wound (28 in the list above) was narrow and deep. The significantly different sizes strongly suggests that two different knives were used in the murder.
The bruises were various and extensive. There was bruising on the nose, lips, gums, cheeks, jaws, neck, elbows, right forearm, right hand, lower abdomen (both iliac crests), both thighs, right shin and also at the back and top of the skull cap. Some of the bruising on the neck and thigh were in the form of fingertips.
The Cingolani report had an itemized list of the wounds noted in the final autopsy report by Dr. Lalli. But, their itemized list did not include the bruising noted by Dr. Lalli in the vaginal and anal areas. Nor did it include the additional bruising noted inthe UACV report and the autopsy video. Drs. Cingolani, Ronchi and Aprile, the medical team hired by Judge Matteini that wrote the report, concluded that Meredith was first stabbed, then choked to death. They felt the wound evidence was inconclusive regarding sexual violence.
Conversely, the Bacci report by Drs. Bacci, Liviero and Marchionni, consultants hired by the prosecutor, concluded that Meredith was first choked, then stabbed. They also concluded the wound evidence strongly suggested that there was sexual violence.
Dr. Lalli, in his April 2009 testimony, (during the Massei trial) confirmed that the bruising was compatible with hands over Meredith's mouth and nose. Under questioning from judge Massei, he confirmed that if the sexual violence occurred during the attack, then the attack was likely carried out by multiple persons.
Dr. Lalli, in this June 2009 testimony, (again during the Massei trial) corrected a few notes made in his final autopsy report regarding the bruises on the elbows. See the notes in the wound list above for numbers 39, 41, 42. The prosecutor also asked him to consider the additional bruising noted in the UACV report.
The April 2008 evidentiary hearing testimony with all the medical consultants is important for the different interpretations of the wounds and manner of death. It is clear that the wound pattern was complex. There was debate on whether Meredith was first stabbed, then choked, or vice-versa; how the large stab wound on the left side might have occurred; the size and type of knives used; time of death; use of gastric content to estimate time of death; signs of sexual violence.
Dr. Marchionni, the only other gynecologist besides Dr. Epicocco who assisted Dr. Lalli the coroner (Dr. Epicocco did not testify), testified that the bruising in the vaginal entrance was very likely done through violent action. He noted that Dr. Lalli, in the autopsy report, considered that the bruising might be due to insufficient lubrication. Dr. Marchionni noted that in his long experience as a gynecologist, and in the experience of his other gynecologist colleagues, the bruising visible in the vaginal entrance did not occur because of insufficient lubrication. Dr. Marchionni noted that the type of vaginal bruising Meredith had was extremely rare and was possible only through violent action. In his experience even menopausal women, who do not have sufficient lubrication generally, never had this type of bruising.
Dr. Liviero's testimony was important for confirming that the vaginal bruising indicated sexual violence, that the bruising on the face around the jaw, neck, mouth and nose strongly suggested that Meredith was being choked at some point, and that her mouth and nose were being covered. Dr. Liviero with other medical consultants, (Cingolani, Bacci, Aprile, Lalli) and members of the UACV division (Codispoti), all stated that the lack of defensive wounds and diversity of wound types all suggested an attack committed by multiple persons.
Dr. Norelli's testimony highlights the importance of the bruising on both iliac crests. He contended that because Meredith was bruised on the left and right side of the front of her abdomen, it was extremely unlikely she obtained those by falling down. Dr. Norelli believed those bruises were a clear sign there was more than one person involved in the attack. He also proposed Meredith might have been restrained at the neck and face, stabbed, then choked.

Body position and clothing

Meredith was found with her body on the floor, covered with a duvet.
From crime scene photos it is clear her body was positioned in an unnatural way.
Sollecito had a manga that depicted a women's body in the same position that Meredith was found.
Meredith's body lay on top of a pillow, a sock and a towel. An additional towel and fitted bed sheet were found next to Meredith's body and under the duvet.
The pillow, fitted bed sheet and duvet had many blood stains. The two towels were fully soaked in blood.
Meredith was found wearing a long sleeved sweat shirt and a T-shirt over that. The T-shirt had a custom print of a woman's head.
On the floor around her body were a sweat jacket, bra, jeans, socks and panties.
Blood stains on Meredith's bra and sweat jacket suggest she bled on the right side, likely from the knife wound on the right side of her neck, for some time before these were removed.
The sleeves on her sweat jacket were pulled inside-out.
Blood stains on her sweat jacket and T-shirts indicate these were pulled up around her neck after she had been wounded. See the UACV report.
The inside of her jeans had blood spots.
Meredith's panties had no blood stains.
Meredith's bra was removed after she was dead, as can be seen from blood speckles on the bra that were not found on her chest. It also had a light chestnut hair on it, similar in color to Sollecito's hair.
The bra clasp of the bra was cut off. It was found under the pillow under Meredith. The bra clasp had a mixture of Meredith's and Sollecito's DNA on metallic part of the clasp.
Scientific Police retrieved the bra clasp on December 18, 2007, 46 days after their first crime scene survey on November 2 to 5, 2007. The bra clasp was found under a small carpet in Meredith's room, a few feet away from its original location under the pillow found under Meredith.
An opened brown purse was found on the bed mattress. It had a long blonde hair on it. In a bloodstain adjacent to the zipper, a DNA mixture was found compatible with Guede's and Meredith's DNA profiles.
A sock was found around the purse handles.
A second sock was found on the bed mattress, along with a notebook, book and towel. The towel had some blood stains on it. All of these items, including the purse, were placed on the bed after the duvet, bedsheet and fitted sheet had been removed.
A second white purse belonging to Meredith was found on the floor.
Two receipts were found on the duvet covering Meredith's body.
Amy Frost, Robin Butterworth, Sophie Purton and Meredith met at the apartment of Frost and Butterworh the evening of the murder to have a pizza and watch a film.
These friends testified in depositions and courtroom testimony that Meredith was wearing the light blue sweat jacket, jeans, Adidas sneakers, T-shirt and sweat shirt that were found on the floor in Meredith's room or on Meredith. No mention was made of the wool sweater (see below under "hairs" section).
Sophie Purton confirmed that when Meredith came to the evening dinner, she had the white purse found on the floor in Meredith's room.
Purton also confirmed in testimony that the brown purse found on the bed was also Meredith's. Purton confirmed Meredith did not have the brown purse with her the evening of the murder.

Meredith's room

Before or during the assault, someone removed the duvet from the bed. The duvet was used to cover Meredith's body. It had many blood stains, as well as four black hairs and two blonde hairs.
Before or during the assault, someone also removed the pillow from the bed. It was found on the floor with bloody footprints and handprints, underneath Meredith's body. A handprint and bloody shoeprints were attributed to Guede, put one smaller bloody shoeprint was attributed to a female-sized Nike sneaker.
Before or during the assault, someone also removed the bedsheet from the bed, which was not found.
Before or during the assault, someone also removed the fitted bedsheet from the bed. This was found bundled up with blood stains on the floor partially under Meredith's body. It had red chestnut hair, an animal hair, a long blonde hair, and a vert short black hair on it. THe blood stains yield DNA compatible with Meredith's DNA profile.
It remains an open question why the pillow, duvet, bedsheet and fitted bedsheet were removed from Meredith's bed, leaving only the mattress.
It also remains an open question why Meredith's body was covered with the duvet, given that her bedroom door was locked.
At some point after Meredith was stabbed and bleeding, someone put bloody knife-shaped objects on the mattress.
A long blonde hair was found on the mattress cover.
At some point after Meredith was stabbed and bleeding, someone brought in two different towels into the room and possibly used them to staunch blood as they were both soaked in blood and found under or next to Meredith's body.
At some point after Meredith was stabbed and bleeding, someone brought in a third towel into the room. It only had a few blood stains and was found on the mattress.
At some point after Meredith's body had been moved and covered with the duvet, someone threw two receipts on the duvet.
At some point after the duvet, bedsheet and fitted bedsheet had been removed from the bed, someone placed one of Meredith's purses on the bed, with a sock around the purse handle.
Someone also took Meredith's wallet, keys and cellphones from her purse. The wallet and keys were never found, but the cellphones were found in the garden of a villa about a kilometer from the cottage.
There was a significant blood spot underneath the bed, close to the head of the bed and nightstand.
Meredith's nightstand lamp was found under the bed, at the head of the bed.
Knox's nightstand lamp, the only functioning light in her room, was found on the floor in Meredith's room, partially under the bed at the foot of the bed.
The preceding three points strongly suggest someone was looking for something under Meredith's bed after the assault occurred.
An empty container of Vaseline was found on Meredith's desk. Zaroli claimed that Sollecito spoke of Meredith's body being covered in vaseline on November 4th, well before the Scientific Police had completed their survey.
The wall shelf by Meredith's wardrobe had been knocked, since objects on the shelf were tipped over.
Someone closed Meredith's bedroom door and locked it using the key to Meredith's bedroom door that operated the deadbolt. They also took the key away.
The partial bloody shoeprints found on the floor in the corridor do not suggest that whoever made those bloody shoeprints, turned around to lock Meredith's door.
There was no blood on the bedroom door's outside door handle, but there was blood on the inside door handle. There was also blood on the strike plate and strike side.
Romanelli claimed that Meredith rarely closed and locked her own bedroom door, while Knox claimed Meredith regularly locked her door, "even to take a shower".
Altieri claimed that Meredith's bedroom door had a small crack in it before it was broken down.

Luminol traces (non-visible blood traces)

Scientific Police did the onsite crime scene Luminol analysis on December 18, 2007, during the second crime scene survey. They performed Luminol analysis in the upper apartment in all the rooms except Meredith's room and the small bathroom used by Meredith and Knox. See this report.
Luminol provides a fluorescent reaction with iron content in blood or other liquids containing iron or magnesium or similar atoms. Dr. Stefanoni noted in her testimony (page 55) that Luminol reaction to blood is particularly intense and bright, much more intense than when reacting to other liquids.
Nine Luminol revealed blood stains were found on the floors of various rooms.
Two stains were found in a "diffuse area" (of Luminol reaction) on the floor in Romanelli's bedroom. These were not photographed.
Three stains were found on the floor in Knox's bedroom. All three were in the form of footprints. One footprint was about 80 cms from the entrance door and was photographed. Two other footprint-shaped stains were close to the window, and were not photographed.
Four stains were found in the corridor flanking Knox's and Meredith's bedroom. Three were in the form of footprints, and one was in the form of a shoeprint. All of these were photographed.
No Luminol revealed traces were found in the larger bathroom, in Mezzetti's room or in the kitchen and dining area.
The Luminol revealed blood stains on the floor in various rooms suggest that someone cleaned some of the blood stains on the floor.
Scientific Police took samples of all nine stains found for DNA analysis.
One of the Luminol revealed bloodstains found on the floor in Romanelli's bedroom revealed a mixture of DNA compatible with Knox's and Meredith's DNA profiles.
All three footprint stains found in Knox's bedroom yielded DNA compatible with Knox's DNA profile.
All three footprint stains found in the corridor yielded no specific DNA profiles.
The Luminol revealed bloody shoeprint found on the floor in the corridor yielded a mixture of DNA compatible with Knox's and Meredith's DNA profiles.
Scientific Police also did comparative visual analysis using photographs of the footprints and the shoeprint found. See this report and this photographic attachment.
Comparative visual analysis showed that the bloody footprint in Knox's bedroom close to the door was compatible with Knox's footprint.
Comparative visual analysis showed that one of the bloody footprints found in corridor was compatible with Sollecito's footprint.
Comparative visual analysis showed that another bloody footprint found in corridor was compatible with Knox's footprint.
The remaining footprint and shoeprint in the corridor were too vague in shape to compare with anything.
Scientific Police also did luminol analysis of Sollecito's apartment on November 13, 2007. The video shows police remarking how the evenly distributed specs of reflective luminol indicate that the floors had been recently cleaned with bleach.

Visible blood traces

Visible blood stains in various forms and shapes were found in Meredith's bedroom, Knox's bedroom, the small bathroom used by Knox and Meredith, on the floor in the corridor serving these three rooms, and on the floor in the kitchen and dining area.
No visible blood stains were found in the large bathroom where Guede defecated, in Mezzetti's bedroom, nor in Romanelli's bedroom.
There were extensive visible blood traces in Meredith's room. Large quantities of blood were on the floor, with a large area of blood streaks in front of the wardrobe and a large puddle of blood between the nightstand and wardrobe.
Blood stains were also on the left flank of the wardrobe and many blood spots and drips were on the wardrobe doors.
There were also blood stains on the far wall, on the floor by the radiator under the window, under the desk, by and under the bed, on the walls above the bed, on the mattress cover, on the bedroom door strike side and on the inside door handle.
There were also visible blood stains in the adjacent small bathroom. Blood stains were on the small bathroom door, on the light switch, on the sink and faucet, in the bidet and on the bathroom floor mat.
The bathroom floor mat had a partial bloody footprint, with the heel of the footprint extending beyond the edge of the floor mat. No corresponding heel shaped blood stain was found on the bathroom floor, suggesting it had been cleaned.
There were also visible blood stains in Knox's bedroom. A blood stain was found on her pillow. An additional blood stain was found on the wall behind the night stand.
Visible partial bloody shoeprints were found on the pillow in Meredith's room and on the floor in Meredith's room
Visible partial bloody shoeprints were also found on the floor in the corridor and in the kitchen and dining area.
The blood pattern analysis report analyzed the blood spots and drips on the wardrobe doors in Meredith's bedroom. The report concluded that Meredith was very likely fatally stabbed around 40 cm (16") above the floor, near to the wardrobe doors in her room.
Blood smears on the floor in Meredith's room strongly suggest that Meredith was moved, or she moved herself, after she was fatally stabbed.
Blood stains on the floor in Meredith's room also suggest that objects were shifted and removed after Meredith had started bleeding from the fatal stab wound.
Blood stains on the mattress cover were compatible with the kitchen knife found at Sollecito's apartment and alleged to be the murder weapon.
Blood stains under the bed suggest that someone was likely searching for something under the bed after Meredith had been stabbed.
Blood stains were also found in the basement apartment, and on outside steps leading to that apartment. These stains were found to be cat blood.

Hairs

Scientific Police sampled many hairs at the upper apartment. Some were sampled directly from the floor but most were sampled from other objects retrieved from the crime scene.
99 hairs were sampled for DNA analysis.
Of the 99 hairs, eleven were fibers and two were animal hairs.
Of the remaining 86 human hairs, only 24 hairs had bulbs in the anagen or catagen phase. The remaining 62 hairs either had bulbs in the telogen phase, or did not have bulbs because they were cut, broken or torn.
Of the 24 hairs analyzed for DNA, only three yielded DNA profiles. All three yielded profiles compatible with Meredith's DNA.
The following is a description of the hairs noted in the DNA report. The number in parenthesis refers to the item number in the report.
(14) Seven "hairs" were sampled from Meredith's body on November 2, 2007, around the vaginal area. These were viewed under a microscope and found to be wool fibers.
(14) The report's location index indicates the fibers came from the vaginal area. However the crime scene video only shows a few fibers being taken from the vaginal area. Others were taken from below the body. There was also a blonde hair in Meredith's left hand and it is very likely this hair was part of the seven wool fibers found.
Crime scene photos show a blonde wool sweater on top of the desk in Meredith's room.
(44) A violet womens sweater from Sollecito's apartment was sampled on November 6th, 2007. The sweater was analyzed on November 14th, 2007. Analysis found a blonde hair 12 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(44) On the same sweater was found a second blonde hair 20 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(44) On the same sweater was found a third hair which was fiber.
(44) On the same sweater was found a third blonde hair 5 cm long, 35 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(44) On the same sweater was found a fourth blonde hair 4 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(44) On the same sweater was found a fifth blonde hair 4 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(56) A sponge from the kitchen in Sollecito's apartment was sampled on November 6th, 2007. The sponge was analyzed on November 14th, 2007. Analysis found a blonde hair 20 cm long, 100 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a frayed distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a second blonde hair 20 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a split or frayed distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a black hair 4 cm long, 80 micrometers in diameter, with a medulla in sections, a bulb in telogen phase and a split or frayed distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a chestnut hair 8 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase with cells, and a cut distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a light chestnut hair 9 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(56) On the same sponge was found a second chestnut hair 5 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a third blonde hair 7 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a fourth blonde hair 4 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a frayed distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(56) On the same sponge was found a reddish blonde hair 8 cm long, 100 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a fifth blonde hair 5 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a sixth blonde hair 7 cm long, 30 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a split or frayed distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a seventh blonde hair 2 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a eighth blonde hair 11 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a split or frayed distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a ninth blonde hair 15 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(56) On the same sponge was found a tenth blonde hair 4 cm long, 20 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(57) A lilac towel found in the washing machine in the large bathroom of the upper apartment was sampled on November 2-5th, 2007. The towel was analyzed on November 14th, 2007. Analysis found a chestnut hair 6 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a split or frayed distal end.
(59) Meredith's bra found on the floor in her room was sampled on November 2, 2007. The bra was analyzed on November 23, 2007. Analysis found a light chestnut hair 2 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a broken bulb end (no bulb present) and a cut distal end.
(60) A green towel with many bloodstains was found on the floor next to Meredith's body. It was sampled on November 2, 2007. The towel was analyzed on November 23, 2007. Analysis found a light chestnut hair 20 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(60) On the same towel was found a second chestnut hair 25 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(61) A beige towel thoroughly soaked in blood found on the floor next to Meredith's body was sampled on November 2, 2007. The towel was analyzed on November 23, 2007. Analysis found a chestnut hair 25 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(61) On the same towel was found a second chestnut hair 15 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(61) On the same towel was found a third chestnut hair 8 cm long, 30 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(61) On the same towel was found a reddish chestnut hair 25 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(61) On the same towel was found a second reddish chestnut hair 20 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a broken distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(61) On the same towel was found a fourth chestnut hair 25 cm long, 70 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(61) On the same towel was found a dark chestnut hair 20 cm long, 80 micrometers in diameter, with a cut bulb end and a cut distal end.
(61) On the same towel was found a fifth chestnut hair 23 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(61) On the same towel was found a sixth chestnut hair 22 cm long, 70 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a rounded distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(61) On the same towel was found a third reddish chestnut hair 25 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(62) A beige towel with some bloodstains found on the mattress of Meredith's bed was sampled on November 2, 2007. The towel was analyzed on November 23, 2007. Analysis found a white hair 3.5 cm long, 30 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(62) On the same towel was found a chestnut hair 12 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a frayed bulb and a cut distal end.
(63) A fitted bed sheet with many bloodstains found on the floor by Meredith's body was sampled on November 2, 2007. The fitted bed sheet was analyzed on November 23, 2007. Analysis found a chestnut hair 4 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a cut bulb end and a pointed distal end.
(63) On the same bed sheet was found a black hair 4 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a broken distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(63) On the same bed sheet was found an animal hair.
(63) On the same bed sheet was found a second chestnut hair 2 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a broken distal end.
(63) On the same bed sheet was found a reddish chestnut hair 30 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 11/28/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(63) On the same bed sheet was found a blonde hair 20 cm long, 70 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a rounded distal end.
(63) On the same bed sheet was found a third chestnut hair 4 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a broken distal end.
(64) A hair on the desk in Meredith's room was sampled on November 2, 2007, along with tissues. The samples were analyzed on November 23, 2007. The hair was a chestnut hair 13 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a frayed bulb end and a broken distal end.
(87) Paper disks under the nightstand in Sollecito's bedroom were sampled on November 13, 2007. The paper disks were analyzed on November 26, 2007. Analysis found a chestnut hair 3 cm long, 30 micrometers in diameter, with a frayed bulb end and a broken distal end.
(110) A multicolored purse from Knox's bedroom was sampled on November 6, 2007. The purse was analyzed on November 23, 2007. Analysis found a chestnut hair 5 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(115) A pair of jeans from the floor in Meredith's bedroom were sampled on November 2, 2007. The jeans were analyzed on December 14, 2007. Analysis found a reddish chestnut hair 11 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a pointed distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 12/21/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(115) On the same pair of jeans was found an animal hair.
(115) On the same pair of jeans was found a chestnut hair 12 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a frayed bulb end and a cut distal end.
(115) On the same pair of jeans was found a second chestnut hair 30 cm long, 70 micrometers in diameter, with a frayed bulb end and a cut distal end.
(121) A group of hairs found under the clothes hanging rack in the corridor (servicing Knox's and Meredith's bedrooms) was sampled on November 2, 2007. The hairs were analyzed on December 14, 2007. Analysis found a chestnut hair 18 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in anagen phase and a frayed distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 12/21/2007 and DNA compatible with Meredith's DNA was found.
(121) In the same group of hairs was found a reddish chestnut hair 17 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 12/21/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(121) In the same group of hairs was found a second reddish chestnut hair 2 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a broken distal end.
(121) In the same group of hairs was found a second chestnut hair 2.5 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a frayed distal end.
(121) In the same group of hairs was found a third reddish chestnut hair 6 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a frayed distal end.
(121) In the same group of hairs was found a third chestnut hair 2 cm long, 30 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a frayed distal end.
(121) In the same group of hairs was found a fourth reddish chestnut hair 7 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(121) In the same group of hairs was found a fourth chestnut hair 20 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a frayed distal end.
(121) In the same group of hairs was found a fifth reddish chestnut hair 4 cm long, 30 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(138) A hair found in the sink in the small bathroom (servicing Knox's and Meredith's bedrooms) was sampled on November 2, 2007. The hair was analyzed on December 14, 2007. Analysis found a blonde hair 10 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a pointed distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 12/21/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(154) A hair found on the bathroom floor of Guede's apartment was sampled on November 20, 2007. The hair was analyzed on December 14, 2007. Analysis found a reddish chestnut hair 12 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a cut bulb end and a cut distal end.
(155) A hair found on the bathroom floor of Guede's apartment was sampled on November 20, 2007. The hair was analyzed on December 14, 2007. Analysis found a reddish chestnut hair 9 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(156) A hair found in a glass containing toothbrush and toothpaste in the bathroom of Guede's apartment was sampled on November 20, 2007. The hair was analyzed on December 14, 2007. Analysis found a reddish chestnut hair 12 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a frayed bulb end and a frayed distal end.
(156) From the same glass was found a second reddish chestnut hair 20 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a frayed distal end.
(166) A brown purse on the mattress in Meredith's bedroom was sampled on December 18, 2007. The purse was analyzed on December 21, 2007. Analysis found a blonde hair 14 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 12/29/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(167) A light colored sock on the floor in Meredith's bedroom was sampled on December 18, 2007. The purse was analyzed on December 21, 2007. Analysis found a light blonde hair 15 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a cut distal end.
(167) From the same sock was also found a fiber.
(168) A floor mop from the corridor in the upper apartment was sampled on December 18, 2007. The mop was analyzed on December 21, 2007. Analysis found a blonde hair 14.5 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a pointed distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 12/29/2007 but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(171) A celeste-colored sweat jacket found on the floor in Meredith's bedroom was sampled on December 18, 2007. The sweat jacket was analyzed on December 21, 2007. Analysis found a chestnut hair 18 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a frayed bulb end and a cut distal end.
(171) From the same sweat jacket was found a light chestnut hair 7.5 cm long, 70 micrometers in diameter, with a frayed bulb end and a rounded distal end.
(185) The duvet found on Meredith's body was sampled on November 2, 2007. It was analyzed on February 21, 2008. Analysis found a blonde hair 8 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a broken bulb and a cut distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a chestnut hair 6 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a second chestnut hair 15 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in anagen phase and a broken distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 3/10/2008 and DNA compatible with Meredith's DNA was found.
(185) From the same duvet was found a black hair 22 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in anagen phase and a frayed distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 3/10/2008 and but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(185) From the same duvet was found a third chestnut hair 23 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in anagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 3/10/2008 and DNA compatible with Meredith's DNA was found.
(185) From the same duvet was found a fourth chestnut hair 12 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a frayed distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a fifth chestnut hair 1.5 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a frayed distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a sixth chestnut hair 2.5 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a seventh chestnut hair 2.5 cm long, 30 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a second black hair 2.0 cm long, 30 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a pointed distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a third black hair 1.0 cm long, 70 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a pointed distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 3/10/2008 and but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(185) From the same duvet was found a fourth black hair 2.0 cm long, 60 micrometers in diameter, with a broken bulb and a cut distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a fifth black hair 2.0 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a broken bulb and a frayed distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a eighth chestnut hair 7.0 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a cut bulb and a cut distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a ninth chestnut hair 10.0 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a broken bulb and a pointed distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a second blonde hair 1.5 cm long, 40 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a broken distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a tenth chestnut hair 30 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in telogen phase and a frayed distal end.
(185) From the same duvet was found a eleventh chestnut hair 6.0 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a pointed distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 3/10/2008 and but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
(185) From the same duvet were found two fibers.
(198) A hair found on the window frame with broken glass in Romanelli's room; the location is marked "R" in crime scene photos; it was sampled on November 5, 2007. The hair was analyzed on February 29, 2008. Analysis found a dark chestnut hair 6.0 cm long, 50 micrometers in diameter, with a bulb in catagen phase and a cut distal end. DNA analysis was performed on 2/29/2008 and but no DNA useful for comparison was found.
From the above list, the human hairs have the following color count: (35) chestnut; (21) blonde; (14) reddish chestnut; (7) black; (4) light chestnut; (2) dark chestnut; (1) reddish blonde; (1) white; (1) light blonde.
Blonde hairs were found on a kitchen sponge at Sollecito's apartment, on a sweater from Sollecito's apartment, on the fitted bedsheet found on the floor next to Meredith, on the brown purse on Meredith's bed, in the sink of the small bathroom, on the floor mop and on the duvet.
Short black hairs were found on the kitchen sponge in Sollecito's apartment, on the fitted bedsheet and on the duvet.
Short light chestnut hairs were found on the kitchen sponge, on Meredith's bra and on Meredith's sweat jacket.

Shoeprints

There were 18 bloody shoeprints in the upper apartment. 17 were visible and one was found via Luminol.
16 bloody shoeprints were found on the floor. Seven were in Meredith's bedroom, three were in the corridor (two visible and one via Luminol) and six were in the kitchen/living room.
There were two additional bloody shoeprints that were found on the pillow found under Meredith's body.
Scientific Police did two visual comparison reports of the shoeprints and footprints. Their first report from April 9, 2008 is here along with its photographic attachment here. The second follow-up report is here along with its photographic attachment here.
Scientific Police looked at all the bloody shoeprints found on the floor in various rooms, and on the pillow found under Meredith.
Scientific Police also looked at two dusty shoeprints found on a postcard on the floor in Romanelli's room.
Scientific Police also looked at nine dusty shoeprints found on a various papers on the floor in Meredith's room.
Scientific Police also looked at two shoeprints in Guede's apartment.
Scientific Police were not able to match any of the dusty shoeprints to any of the shoes sequestered from Guede, Meredith, Knox or Sollecito (28 pairs in total).
Scientific Police found compatibility with two of the six shoeprints in the kitchen to Guede's sneakers. The other four prints were too partial to be used for any sort of comparison.
Scientific Police found compatibility with both shoeprints in the corridor to Guede's sneakers. The Luminol-revealed bloody shoeprint was to vague for comparisons.
Scientific Police found compatibility with all seven bloody shoeprints in Meredith's room to Guede's sneakers.
Scientific Police found compatibility with one of the bloody shoeprints on the pillow in Meredith's room to Guede's sneakers.
The other smaller bloody shoeprint on the pillow did not match any of the shoes that were sequestered.
The Luminol revealed shoeprint found in the corridor was too vague in shape to match any of the shoes that were sequestered. However, it yielded a DNA mixture having compatibility with Knox's and Meredith's DNA profiles.

Footprints

There were seven bloody footprints on the floor in the upper apartment. One was visible on the bath mat. The other six were found via Luminol.
Of the six bloody footprints found via Luminol, three were in the corridor and three were in Knox's bedroom.
One of the bloody footprints revealed by Luminol in the corridor was too vague for comparison. The other two were compared and compatibility was found with either Knox's footprint or Sollecito's footprint.
Of the three Luminol revealed footprints found in Knox's bedroom, only one was photographed. It was found to be compatible with Knox's footprint.
The visible bloody footprint on the bath mat was found to be compatible with Sollecito's footprint.
Therefore, of the seven bloody footprints found, three were unmatched, two were matched to Sollecito's footprint and two were matched to Knox's footprint.
All three of the Luminol revealed bloody footprints found in Knox's bedroom yielded DNA compatible with Knox's DNA profile.
None of the three Luminol revealed bloody footprints found in the corridor yielded DNA useful to match with anything.
The visible bloody footprint on the bathmat yielded DNA compatible with Meredith's DNA profile.
There were also three normal (not bloody) footprints on the radiator in Knox's room, but these were not matched by police with anyone.

Fingerprints

Scientific Police surveyed fingerprints and footprints in the upper apartment over the course of several days. They checked for fingerprints in all the rooms of the apartment, except for the corridor. In most of the rooms they used Silver Black compound, but in the small bathroom used by Meredith and Knox, they used a compound with Rhodamine 6G, which leaves a pink/purple stain (visible in photos of the small bathroom taken after the initial survey of November 2nd and 3rd, 2007).
Scientific Police also checked for prints on various papers and notebooks in Meredith's room, and the cellphones found in the garden villa.
Scientific Police also checked for fingerprints at Guede's apartment.
The Scientific Police issued a number of fingerprint reports. They can be found here.
117 prints were found at the cottage. Of these 56 were unusable for identification.
Of the remaining 61 prints usuable for comparison, 13 remain unidentified.
Of the remaining 48 prints that were identified, 17 belonged to Meredith, 5 to Sollecito, 1 to Knox, 15 to Mezzetti, 5 to Romanelli, 4 to Silenzi (Meredith's boyfriend) and 1 to Guede.
One of Meredith's fingerprints was found on Knox's wardrobe, suggesting that she had recently looked there. Guede testified that Meredith looked in Knox's room for rent money as Meredith believed Knox had stolen the money from her.
The only print compatible with Knox's print was found on a glass in the kitchen. Of the 13 unidentified prints, five were in Knox's room. Three of these were footprints on the radiator and two prints were on the wardrobe.
Sollecito's prints were on the outside of Meredith's door, on the refrigerator in the kitchen and on the inside face of Mezzetti's bedroom door.
Guede's handprint was found on the pillow in Meredith's room.
Silenzi's prints were found on the doors of the wardrobe in Meredith's room.

Cottage

The "cottage" was a two story structure built into a steep hillside embankment on the north side of the town of Perugia. It was located adjacent to via della Pergola, a ring road that follows the north contours of the city's medieval walls.
The cottage was originally a two story 18th century farmhouse. A two story wing was added onto the structure in the 19th century to create more bedrooms.
The cottage had two apartments, each on their own floor. The basement apartment was accessed from an entrance door located around the rear side of the structure, further down the embankment.
The cottage upper "ground floor" apartment was accessed from an entrance door located off the entrance driveway and parking area leading up to the building.
The entrance driveway and parking area were built on a raised rampart that was detached from the building by 3 to 4 meters. This was done so that light could enter the bedroom windows of the basement apartment that faced the rampart.
The cottage had electricity, phone and internet lines, hot water heating via gas appliance and radiator heating for the rooms. Each apartment had its own heating appliances.
The upper apartment had four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and dining area and a terrace.
The kitchen and dining area were flanked by two bedrooms and a larger bathroom with an intermediate laundry area.
The other two bedrooms were in the added wing. The bedrooms were flanked by a small corridor that ended with a smaller bathroom that served the two bedrooms.
Each of the bedrooms had one window. The windows were all two stories up from the ground.
The terrace was accessed from the corridor leading to Knox's and Meredith's bedrooms. This second story terrace could be easily reached on the outside by climbing up a trellis from the ground.
Four boys- Bonassi, Luciani, Marzan and Silenzi- rented the lower apartment.
Meredith, Knox, Mezzetti and Romanelli rented the upper apartment.
The cottage had a driveway gate. The driveway gate could be opened by key, or with an electric buzzer release via an intercom system inside the cottage. If someone did not have a key, they could ring a buzzer at the gate and speak to anyone in the cottage via the intercom, and the person inside the cottage could ‘ring’ open the gate. This system is very common in Italy.
The upper apartment front door had a security grille that was apparently not being used.
The front door latch of the upper apartment was faulty and required deadbolt operation by key, both internally and externally, to keep the door closed.
Because of the faulty front door latch, Romanelli testified that the girls routinely locked the door even when they were in the apartment.
In 2009, during the Massei-Cristiani trial, thieves or squatters broke into the cottage twice.
Police surmised the thieves or squatters entered by climbing up the trellis to the second floor terrace accessed from the corridor french door. As noted above, the terrace and trellises are located at the rear of the building, and are hidden from view from via della Pergola.

Cottage at the time of the murder discovery

Police found the driveway gate open.
Lombardi the towtruck driver, testified that he noticed the gates were ajar the night of the murder and that there was a dark car parked in front of them.
No further evidence about the dark car was ever determined. However Sollecito owned a dark car.
When the Scientific Police examined Sollecito's car, they found it unusually clean, as if it had been recently cleaned.
During the November 1st and November 2nd bridge holiday, Bonassi, Luciani, Marzan and Silenzi were all away on vacation in their hometowns in the Marche area, several hours away by local train connections.
Mezzetti was also away on vacation in her hometown, a few hundred miles south.
Romanelli spent her vacation with her boyfriend at his apartment in Perugia.
Only Knox and Meredith remained in the upper apartment during the four day weekend. The lower apartment remained empty.
There were no signs that the front door lock had been tampered with from the outside.
There were no signs that french doors leading out to the terrace had also been tampered with.
Because there were no signs of forced entry, the police believe either Meredith or Knox let the murderer(s) in.
The police considered the broken window in Romanelli's room to be part of an amateur attempt at staging a robbery.
Police found no blood traces in the large bathroom (used by Romanelli and Mezzetti), where Guede had defecated.
The smaller bathroom by Meredith and Knox's bedroom had multiple blood traces, including on the light switch.
Police found Romanelli's room ransacked.
A drawer in Mezzetti's room was also opened and ransacked.
Knox's room was left untouched.
Guede noted he had used a chair in the kitchen to defend himself during his purported encounter with a man with a knife. But none of the chairs were found out of place in kitchen, and Knox never mentioned finding a chair out of place in the kitchen when she said she returned to the cottage on the morning of November 2nd to take a shower.
The clothes washer had been recently used in the upper apartment. Damp towels and clothing were found in the washer.

Break-in evidence- the window and rock in Romanelli's room

Romanelli's window, the one with the broken window pane, was a second story window. The window sill was 3.78 meters (12.4 feet) above the ground.
The window in Romanelli's room were typical of older window units made in the early 18th to late 19th century. They were very common in older buildings in Italy.
The window had two casement style window frames. The window frames swung inward when opened.
The window unit had outside shutters to screen the opening from sunlight or rain when the window was open.
The window unit also had interior wood panels ("scuri") attached to the window frames. The interior wood panels could be closed against the interior side of the window frames. These panels provided a way to screen or adjust the amount of sunlight coming through the window if the window was closed.
More importantly, the interior wood panels could be locked together with a drop latch. The drop latch blocked the interior panels together and kept them closed against the window frames. This made it impossible to open the window from outside, even by throwing a large rock.
The only way to break into the window when the interior panels were closed and locked was to break the interior panels themselves with an ax or jigsaw.
One could also attempt to ram the interior panels from the outside with enough force to break apart the drop hatch mechanism.
The only damage found on the window was that there was also a small nick of damaged wood on the right frame of the right window.
Romanelli testified that she had mostly closed the outside shutters before leaving for the bridge holiday.
The exterior shutters were found ajar. Police estimate that the distance between the interior face of the open shutter and the exterior face of the closed window pane was roughly 12 cm (4.7 inches). See here.
The rock apparently used to the break the window, was found partially in a clothing store bag.
The clothing store bag was on the floor and under a chair at a table next to the window sill.
The rock measured 20 cm x 16 cm x 11 cm and weighed 4 kg. It was an unusually big rock for the purposes of breaking a window pane.
The light of the window (the part only in glass) measured 53 cm tall x 27 cm wide (10.6 inches) according to the police survey.
The rock in its longest dimension was 3/4 the width of the glass pane.
Given its size and weight, especially in relation to the glass pane, the rock would seem a very unlikely choice for anyone to use to break the window.
The window panes had a single layer of annealed glass. This glass could have been easily broken with a much smaller rock.
The broken glass pane was missing glass only in the bottom part of the opening. The top part of the glass was still intact, without any fracture cracks from where the glass had been broken.
Since the glass was still intact in the top half of the window, this implies that the big, heavy rock was thrown at extremely low velocity from a very short distance away.
If the big, heavy rock had been thrown from 3 to 4 meters away, it would have shattered the entire pane of annealed glass.
Given that the outside shutters were only ajar by 12 cm, it seems even more improbable that someone chose a 20 cm long large rock to break the window from the outside.

Evidence list

Wounds

Wound interpretation and testimony

Body position and clothing

Meredith's room

Luminol traces (non-visible blood traces)

Visible blood traces

Hairs

Shoeprints

Footprints

Fingerprints

Cottage

Cottage at the time of the murder discovery

Break-in evidence- the window and rock in Romanelli's room

Witnesses, cellphone evidence, computer evidence, depositions and statements, DNA traces