Italian Garlasco murder case: new DNA and footprint analyses delay trial of Andrea Sempio

Investigators in the 2007 Garlasco murder are completing a series of expert consultations before the prosecutor’s deadline of 28 September to decide whether to bring Andrea Sempio to trial for the killing of 15‑year‑old Chiara Poggi. The four pending reports cover the compatibility of a blood‑stained shoe imprint found at the crime scene with Sempio’s foot, the DNA fragments recovered from the victim’s fingernails, a psychiatric assessment of Sempio’s alleged social dangerousness, and other forensic questions.

The defence argues that the imprint, a “Frau” brand size 42 shoe, does not match Sempio’s foot and that the DNA on the victim’s nails could be the result of indirect contamination. A defence‑appointed psychiatrist has concluded that Sempio shows no social dangerousness after 19 years. The prosecution, however, continues to seek independent expert opinions before filing an indictment, which is expected to be filed by the end of September.