A faded trace, a new suspect, and a case that refuses to stay closed
A forgotten fingerprint reopens the investigation
In the haunting case of Chiara Poggi, murdered on August 13, 2007, in Garlasco, a new theory emerges after 18 years of uncertainty. At the center is a handprint, known as “Fingerprint 33,” found on the stairwell wall leading to the basement where Chiara’s body was discovered. Now, this print is believed to belong to Andrea Sempio, a close friend of Chiara’s brother Marco.
Investigators’ theory: the killer never descended the stairs
Prosecutors from Pavia now believe the killer never went down to the basement. Instead, he may have leaned over the stairway, bracing himself with one hand against the wall—leaving a right palm print near the body. The print was made visible only later using ninhydrin, a chemical that reveals invisible fingerprints.
The match with Sempio’s handprint
A recent forensic comparison between the image of Fingerprint 33 and Sempio’s prints revealed 15 matching points. In Italy, 16 or 17 matching minutiae are considered the threshold for certain identification, but even 15 are seen as highly indicative. The result was enough for prosecutors to associate the print with Sempio—bringing his name back into the spotlight.
A missing sample and a bloodless print
Despite the match, the print was not left in blood, and the original plaster where it was found is now completely gone. According to reports from the TV program Quarto Grado, the wall sample was entirely used up in the original 2007 analysis. Today, only photographs remain, raising serious questions about the evidentiary strength of the match.
Sempio’s defense: “Are we really trying someone over photos?”
Andrea Sempio’s lawyer, Massimo Lovati, dismissed the renewed suspicion: “Sempio was often in that house. That print proves nothing. And without the actual sample, we’re talking about a trial based on a photograph.” According to him, the evidence has no legal standing and only revives speculation long put to rest.
The other print: Stasi’s shoe and the size debate
An additional clue from 2007 still lingers: a bloody shoeprint at the top of the stairs, linked to Alberto Stasi, Chiara’s boyfriend, who was ultimately sentenced to 16 years in prison. But his defense claimed the print may match a larger shoe size than his. The prosecution is now re-examining that too.
Quarto Grado scoop: the sample is gone
A bombshell report from Quarto Grado confirmed that the plaster containing Fingerprint 33 was fully consumed in past tests. No biological material remains for new analysis. With only pictures available, any future proceedings would rely solely on those archived images.
A cold case that won’t rest
The Garlasco murder remains one of Italy’s most controversial unsolved crimes. Though Stasi is behind bars, the case continues to shift with new suspects, lost evidence, and public intrigue. Whether Fingerprint 33 will lead to a new trial or just another dead end is still uncertain.
FAQ
1. What is Fingerprint 33?
It’s a right-hand palm print found on a wall near the basement where Chiara Poggi’s body was discovered in 2007.
2. Who is Andrea Sempio?
A friend of Chiara’s brother Marco, previously ruled out in 2017 but now re-investigated.
3. Why is the fingerprint controversial?
It shows 15 matching points with Sempio’s print—just below the threshold of certain identification.
4. Was it left in blood?
No, it was revealed using ninhydrin, not blood.
5. Does the original wall sample still exist?
No. It was completely used up in the initial forensic tests.
6. Who was convicted for the murder?
Alberto Stasi, Chiara’s then-boyfriend, sentenced to 16 years.
7. Could Fingerprint 33 reopen the trial?
Only if it’s deemed strong enough to challenge the previous verdict, despite missing evidence.
8. What does Sempio’s defense say?
That the fingerprint is irrelevant and proves nothing, especially without the physical sample.
9. Why weren’t bloody footprints found on the stairs?
Investigators believe the killer leaned over the railing, never stepping onto the stairs.
10. Are other people under suspicion?
Yes, including Chiara’s cousins and other friends of the family, according to leaked reports.
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