National

IHIT officer testifies to executing DNA warrant of man accused in B.C. murder trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Oct, 2023 04:31 PM

A Mountie with British Columbia's integrated homicide team testified she was the officer who served a warrant to obtain DNA from the man accused of killing a 13-year-old girl in a Metro Vancouver park six years ago.

Sgt-Maj. Heather Lew told a B.C. Supreme Court murder trial that she collected a few drops of blood from Ibrahim Ali's finger on Sept. 9, 2018, two days after his arrest and almost 14 months after the girl's body was found.

Ali has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of the teen.

The body of the girl, who can't be named because of a publication ban, was found in Burnaby Central Park early on July 19, 2017, just hours after her mother reported her missing.

Crown witness and RCMP forensic biologist Christine Crossman testified last month that police obtained a DNA sample from Ali from a discarded cigarette in August 2018 and matched it to an unknown male's genetic material found on the girl's body.

The match led police to obtain a warrant to formally get a sample from Ali, which Crossman said also matched DNA from the girl's body.

Lew also told the court under direct examination Wednesday that she was a corporal on the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team when the girl was found dead and she attended the crime scene in the park the day the body was found.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. issues certificate for contentious Roberts Bank terminal expansion project

The British Columbia government has issued an environmental assessment certificate for the contentious container port expansion project at Roberts Bank, saying the province "could not prohibit the project from going forward." In a written statement, the government says the three-berth marine container terminal in Delta, B.C., south of Vancouver, rests almost entirely on federal land.

B.C. issues certificate for contentious Roberts Bank terminal expansion project

Friend of slain B.C. Sikh advocate says police warned him of threat after killing

A member of the Surrey, B.C., gurdwara where local Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar served as president before he was gunned down in June said police warned him last month about a threat to his life. Gurmeet Toor, who calls himself a close friend of Nijjar, said he was surprised when two police officers knocked on his door at around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 and handed him a "duty to warn" letter saying his life may be in danger.

Friend of slain B.C. Sikh advocate says police warned him of threat after killing

Darpan 10 with Alfred Hermida, Professor, UBC School of Journalism, Writing, and Media

Alfred Hermida, Professor, UBC School of Journalism, Writing, and Media in Darpan 10 shares more about Bill C18 and the impact of Meta's deicision to block news consumption on Facebook and Instagram.

Darpan 10 with Alfred Hermida, Professor, UBC School of Journalism, Writing, and Media

Masks to be worn in B.C. health facilities as flu and COVID cases increase

An upward trend in flu and COVID-19 cases in British Columbia has prompted a renewed requirement to wear masks in all health-care facilities. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the masks must be worn by all health-care workers, volunteers and visitors in patient-care areas starting Oct. 3.

Masks to be worn in B.C. health facilities as flu and COVID cases increase

Delta mayor sounds alarm over 'rampant' crime at B.C. port, as expansion looms

A new report about policing of Metro Vancouver port terminal facilities says there's "literally no downside" for organized criminals to set up shop, and one British Columbia city is sounding the alarm. Delta Mayor George Harvie says the city commissioned the report about the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Roberts Bank Terminal amid "rampant" criminal activity due to a lack of funds for policing.

Delta mayor sounds alarm over 'rampant' crime at B.C. port, as expansion looms

Student assaulted at UVIC

Saanich Police are investigating a sexual assault in a campus washroom at the University of Victoria. A safety bulletin issued by the university says the victim was assaulted in a men’s washroom on the first floor of a campus building on Tuesday morning.