DNA test: Blood samples from same source in Richland go-cart death

By John Trumbo, Herald staff writer

DNA analysis confirms two blood samples both came from a boy who died in a go-cart accident at a track in Richland, even though tests of the samples produced conflicting results.

The results deepen the mystery about how alcohol got into one of the samples, which Benton County Coroner Rick Corson says he personally collected after the accident in April at Horn Rapids.

They also baffle Richland police investigators.

"I am frustrated. We have two vials of blood from one individual. One has alcohol and one does not, and I'm not convinced we will ever know how it happened," said Richland police Capt. Mike Cobb.

Kenneth McKinster, 12, of Gresham, Ore., was driving a go-cart in a sanctioned race at the track at Horn Rapids when he lost control in a turn and ran into a cable wire fence, killing him.

Corson took the blood samples from the body and then had his assistant label them and send them in for testing at the Washington Toxicology Lab. After testing of the first sample showed a small amount of alcohol in the boy's blood, the second sample was tested but no alcohol was detected.

DNA analysis was subsequently done on the samples to determine if the two vials could have come from different individuals, which could have explained the conflicting results.

Andy Miller, Benton County prosecutor, believes there was a mix-up or contamination caused by Corson's office.

"There is no doubt in my mind the child had not been drinking. It is the coroner's handling of the evidence. We have an obligation. We should get this issue resolved," Miller said Thursday after learning of the DNA results.

Cobb said his investigating officer already has sent the boy's blood samples to an independent lab for another blood-alcohol analysis.

Corson's assistant, Mike Russell, told the Herald he was not to blame for a mix-up of the blood vials. He said he followed Corson's instructions on labeling, storing and shipping the samples to the state toxicology lab.

"I had (Russell) do all the processing," Corson said.

Russell speculated last month that the sampling equipment was contaminated, saying, "I have seen (Corson) rinsing syringes with alcohol that are used to draw samples."

Corson said Friday that he has been systematically updating procedures and making changes since January. "We're constantly making changes. I don't want to get into details now," he said.

Cobb has suggested that having evidence technicians from an outside agency audit the Benton County Coroner's Office procedures might be a good idea. "It could help establish whether standards are where they need to be, not that they aren't now," Cobb said.

"I've talked to (Cobb) and I'm thinking about it," Corson said.

Dan Blasdel, Franklin County coroner, said he always has funeral home employees take blood and urine samples at the mortuaries, and has had few problems with contamination. He said the last one was more than five years ago.

Larry Taylor, Benton County sheriff, said the possibility of contamination in the samples frustrates him.

"The integrity of the evidence must be maintained to the highest level to withstand the scrutiny of attorneys and the courts," said Taylor, who like Miller believes the problem was in the coroner's office.

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Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008

DNA test: Blood samples from same source in Richland go-cart death

By John Trumbo, Herald staff writer