During pre-trial hearings for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, an FBI DNA analyst testified that a "95 percent DNA match" linked the suspect to a towel wrapped around the alleged murder weapon. The testimony matters because it forms part of the forensic case prosecutors are building against Robinson, though the defence has moved to challenge how conclusive the evidence really is.

FBI analyst Amanda Bakker and Utah State Bureau of Investigation sergeant Jennifer Faumuina gave evidence on Tuesday about items recovered from the scene, including a rifle found wrapped in a towel in nearby woods and a screwdriver left on the roof from where the fatal shot was fired. Bakker said the towel and screwdriver carried DNA from two contributors — identified as Robinson and his transgender roommate and partner, Lance Twiggs — with 95 percent attributed to one source whose profile "aligned better" with Robinson. Under cross-examination she conceded the DNA was not definitive but did not exclude him as a "possible contributor," while defence attorney Michael Burt argued she "can't match Mr Robinson to the questioned samples." Bakker noted the FBI routinely avoids "absolute identification" in DNA results.