DNA of accused father found on shorts near Montreal girl's body in New York murder trial

A New York State Police DNA analyst testified Wednesday, August 5, that genetic material from Luciano Frattolin was found on a pair of shorts discovered in a garbage bag near the location where his daughter Melina's body was recovered.

Analyst May Scarlat told the jury that she identified DNA from both Frattolin and his nine-year-old daughter on the shorts. However, she could not identify DNA on other items in the same bag, including a t-shirt and shoes. Frattolin, 46, is charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse in Melina's death. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges and has been held without bail since his arrest in July 2025.

Melina, who lived in Montreal, was found drowned in a marsh in rural New York at the end of a trip with her father last summer. The trial is ongoing in New York.

Scarlat testified that Melina's DNA was identified on the clothing she was wearing when her body was found, including a jacket bearing traces of blood. However, the accused's DNA was not found on these clothes. Some of the girl's other clothing showed traces of other DNA sets, but not enough to identify whose they were.

The analyst told the jury that DNA transfer is possible, particularly from items like shorts and pants when worn in public. Environmental factors including heat and moisture can also affect DNA testing results, she said. Her testimony outlined the scientific limitations of the evidence while confirming the presence of Frattolin's genetic material on items recovered from the scene.