Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg, GBMC Media Relations Manager

(O): 443-849-2126/Cell: 410-258-3465eMarch 2:]

Physician Pioneer Of Forensic Exams and DNA Honored

At Greater Baltimore Medical Center  

Forensic Pathologist Participated in More Than 2,000 Rape Cases

And Preserved Evidence That Has Helped Police Solve Cold Cases From Decades Ago

BALTIMORE, Md. – May 19, 2008 –   More than three decades ago, before the technology existed to identify DNA, a physician at Greater Baltimore Medical Center had the foresight to retain evidence from alleged sexual assault victims, believing that one day a scientific development might allow officials to identify suspects from the forensic material. Today, DNA evidence plays an instrumental role in prosecuting sexual assault and other crimes, and will be a key factor as prosecutors begin a trial for a notable alleged multiple rape prosecution later this summer in Baltimore County.

“DNA evidence has allowed us to finally bring closure to many stranger rapes of victims from the past 30 years,” said Sgt. Rose Brady of the Baltimore County Police Department Special Victims Unit.  “This has brought us all - from the biology lab to the detectives and Chief Johnson - immense satisfaction.”

The physician, often called a “pioneer” in his field, was Rudiger Breitenecker, M.D., a Butler resident who served as a member of GBMC’s Department of Pathology from 1967-1998, and as founding director of GBMC’s Rape Care Center, the precursor to today’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Program, from 1975 – 1997.  All victims of sexual assault over age 13 across Baltimore County are treated at GBMC’s SAFE Program, where specially trained forensic nurses are available around the clock.  

At a special luncheon on Friday, June 6 at GBMC (12 p.m. in the Conference Center), Dr. Breitenecker will be honored for his work by dignitaries including Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith (bringing a citation), Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson (presenting a Chief’s Award), and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger, who will speak about his experiences with Dr. Breitenecker both as a prosecutor and when he was in private practice, and Colonel Terrence Sheridan, Secretary of the Maryland State Police, who will also present a citation. 

During his tenure at GBMC, Dr. Breitenecker participated in more than 2,000 rape cases and was often the only physician to testify in court. 

In addition to his work at GBMC, Dr. Breitenecker was an assistant professor in forensic pathology at the University of Maryland from 1964 – 1997 and served as assistant medical examiner for Maryland from 1962 – 1967 and as associate medical examiner for Baltimore County from 1974 – 1998.

Trained as a forensic pathologist, Dr. Breitenecker took samples of fluid, sperm, semen and other substances and froze a few drops from each case, preserving the evidence for the future.  When DNA technology became available, “we turned over hundreds and hundreds of samples to the police department, which resulted in many cold cases being closed with convictions.”

“It is quite gratifying that I could use my expertise for such a public benefit,” said Dr. Breitenecker, who although retired from practicing medicine still stays active in court consulting as an expert witness.

“Dr. Breitenecker was a man way ahead of his time,” Sgt. Brady said.  “We would not have as many CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) hits on cold cases going back more than 30 years without his foresight into the future of DNA.  As far as I know, we are the only police department that has the ability to access evidence from a hospital that saved their doctor's slides on all rapes.” CODIS is a computer software program that operates local, state, and national databases of DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons.

DNA evidence is likely to play a key role in the trial of Alphonso William Hill, who has been charged with six rapes that occurred between the years of 1978 and 1989.   According to published reports, police started looking at Hill as a suspect in those cases after he was incarcerated for committing a rape when authorities learned that his DNA had never been entered into CODIS. Police then obtained a search warrant to obtain Hill's DNA and after it was submitted to the Baltimore County Police Department's Biology Lab, it matched the suspect’s DNA in the six unsolved rape cases.

Editor’s Note:  Media attendance at the luncheon recognizing Dr. Rudiger Breitenecker is welcomed  if interested, please contact Michael Schwartzberg in advance.  Interviews with the physician, as well as county and police officials and medical experts in forensic nursing, will be available.  Advance coverage can also be arranged.  

About GBMC
GBMC includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Central Maryland’s leading community hospital; Gilchrist Hospice Care, which provides comfort and care to patients with life-limiting illnesses; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 298-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually and provides approximately 60,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org                 

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