By: HISTORY.com Editors

1994

DNA testing links O.J. Simpson to murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman

This DNA film, projected 10 May as evidence in the
KIM KULISH/AAFP via Getty Images
Published: August 21, 2025Last Updated: August 21, 2025

On August 22, 1994, court papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court disclose DNA test results showing that O.J. Simpson’s blood genetically matches blood in the trail leading from the murder scene of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman. The pair had been found murdered two months earlier outside of Brown Simpson’s luxury town house in Brentwood, California, a Los Angeles suburb.

Prosecutors released the evidence a month after Simpson's second arraignment on July 22, 1994, where the retired football-star-turned-actor and pitchman pleaded "absolutely 100 percent not guilty" to the gruesome stabbings.

The DNA match between a single drop of Simpson’s blood and one collected from near the crime scene constituted a “genetic fingerprint” with staggering odds. Forensic scientist Robin Cotton, an expert witness at Simpson’s trial, testified that only one in 170 million people have the genetic blueprint of Simpson's blood and that small drop of blood found near the victims’ bodies. Defense lawyers vigorously questioned the reliability of the results and the integrity of the lab that conducted the tests.

A jury acquitted the former Hall of Fame running back of the criminal murder charges, but he later was found liable in a civil wrongful-death lawsuit. Simpson died on April 10, 2024, at age 76 of cancer.

This Day in History: 10/03/1995 - O.J. Simpson Aquitted

On this day in 1995, at the end of a sensational trial, former football star O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the brutal 1994 double murder of his estranged wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. In the epic 252-day trial, Simpson's "dream team" of lawyers employed creative and controversial methods to convince jurors that Simpson's guilt had not been proved "beyond a reasonable doubt," thus surmounting what the prosecution called a "mountain of evidence" implicating him as the murderer.

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on August 22nd

Related Articles

Jack the Ripper

From Vlad the Impaler to Jack the Ripper, meet seven of history’s creepiest figures.

Unabomber Ted Kaczynski- Harvard

Kaczynski, who would later become known as the infamous Unabomber, was subjected to a controversial and disturbing psychological experiment as a young student at the Ivy League school.

Labor leader Jimmy Hoffa (1913 - c.1975)

The search for the powerful ex-Teamster boss stymied authorities.

Alcatraz Island Prison seen from above.

During its nearly 30 years of operation (from 1934 to 1963), the federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay housed some of America’s most notorious felons.

About the author

HISTORY.com Editors

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen, Christian Zapata and Cristiana Lombardo.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article title
DNA testing links O.J. Simpson to murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
August 21, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
August 21, 2025
Original Published Date
August 21, 2025

History Every Day

Sign Up for This Day in History

Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.More details: Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us