If you are following the latest updates from the Saint John courthouse you know forensic experts presented compelling DNA and toxicology evidence Tuesday at the trial of a man accused of killing two young boys. The jury heard testimony detailing blood found on the clothing of the accused and the weapons recovered from the scene. According to a report from CBC News the evidence strongly links the victims to the items tested.

DNA Matches Found on Clothing and Weapons

Arran McBride is a forensic specialist from the RCMP national forensic lab in Ottawa. She testified about samples taken from Roman Kamyshnyy and his clothing. Police seized a yellow T shirt and plaid pyjama pants during his arrest. McBride compared these samples to DNA from the two victims.

McBride told the court the DNA profile found on the back of the T shirt matched the 17 year old victim. She stated the match was definitive.

“The DNA evidence is 680 trillion times more likely to be observed if it originated from him rather than if it originated from an unknown unrelated individual selected at random from the Canadian Caucasian population,” McBride said.

The 10 year old victim was also a possible contributor to blood found on the front of the shirt. McBride also analyzed knives found at the Millidgeville apartment. Four areas of a large knife found near the older teen matched his DNA profile. A broken knife handle found on a bed contained a mixed DNA profile from both boys.

Toxicology Reports Show Low Alcohol Levels

The jury also heard from Nathalie Desrosiers. She leads toxicology services for the RCMP national forensic lab. Desrosiers analyzed blood drawn from Kamyshnyy shortly after his arrest.

She calculated his blood alcohol concentration at the time of the alleged murders was between 40 and 61 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. This falls below the legal driving limit of 80 milligrams.

Desrosiers also detected diphenhydramine in his system. This is the active ingredient in common allergy and sleep medications. The concentration was 28 nanograms per milliliter. Desrosiers noted this amount falls within a normal therapeutic range. Both substances act as central nervous system depressants. Desrosiers explained they slow down brain activity but she could not confirm their exact combined effect on the accused.

Trial Context and Next Steps

Roman Kamyshnyy faces two counts of first degree murder. The charges stem from the deaths of the two boys on January 29 2025. Saint John police discovered the victims after receiving an emergency call from the older teen.

The Crown alleges Kamyshnyy stabbed the victims in an act of desperate vengeance before attempting to take his own life with a nail gun. Kamyshnyy pleaded not guilty to all charges. You can expect the trial to continue Wednesday as the Crown calls its next witness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is on trial in this case?

Roman Kamyshnyy is on trial for two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of two boys in Saint John.

What did the DNA evidence reveal?

Forensic experts found DNA matching the 17 year old victim on the clothing of the accused and on a knife at the scene. The 10 year old victim was also a possible contributor to blood found on the clothing and weapons.

Was the accused intoxicated at the time of the crime?

Toxicology reports estimate his blood alcohol level was below the legal driving limit. Experts also found therapeutic levels of a common sleep aid in his system.