DNA evidence strongly links Mann to Surrey woman's fatal stabbing in June 2024
Forensic biologist testifies kitchen knife, hoodie and phone swab all showed DNA matching second-degree murder suspect in Tori Dunn's death.
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A forensic biologist from the RCMP National Forensics Laboratory testified Thursday that DNA evidence connects Adam Troy Mann to the June 2024 death of Tori Dunn, a Surrey woman who was fatally stabbed at her Port Kells home during an apparent home invasion.
Janny Lau, the RCMP biologist, told the New Westminster Supreme Court jury that the centre of a bloody kitchen knife blade showed DNA matching Dunn with a probability of one in 290 quintillion that it came from someone else. The knife handle carried DNA from three different people; one profile matched Mann at 2.7 quadrillion times more likely than a random population member.
A grey hoodie found outside Dunn's house bore two DNA profiles on its sleeve, with likely matches to both Dunn and Mann. Dunn's boyfriend, Trafford Wace, who lived in the home, testified earlier that the suspect wore a grey hoodie during the attack.
Dunn's iPhone, found outdoors in the neighbourhood, showed a likely match to Mann with a probability 12 to 17 billion times more likely than a random member of the population.
Lau re-analyzed all exhibits using an updated RCMP database that now includes multiple ethnicities, replacing the Canadian Caucasian population database used in 2024. She found similar results to the original analysis and expressed no concern about numerical differences between the databases. Defence attorney Paul McMurray conducted cross-examination.
As HighOnCity reported in October, the trial began in New Westminster Supreme Court for Mann, who has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in connection with Dunn's death. Dunn was critically injured in the stabbing on June 16, 2024, and died in hospital.
The facts
When did Tori Dunn die?
Tori Dunn was critically injured in a stabbing on June 16, 2024, and died in hospital shortly after.
What DNA evidence linked Adam Troy Mann to the crime?
A bloody kitchen knife blade showed DNA matching Mann at 2.7 quadrillion times more likely than a random population member. A grey hoodie found outside the house bore DNA profiles matching both Tori Dunn and Mann, and Dunn's iPhone showed a likely match to Mann at 12 to 17 billion times more likely than a random population member.
Who testified about the DNA evidence?
Janny Lau, a forensic biologist from the RCMP National Forensics Laboratory, testified on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in New Westminster Supreme Court.
