Why Search Condit's Apartment?

July 12 -- Forensic experts say a police search of Rep. Gary Condit's Washington apartment more than two months after the disappearance of Chandra Levy could conceivably turn up physical evidence, if a violent crime was committed there.

But, if not, they say, it's questionable how useful the search could turn out to be.

Edward Blake, an independent forensic scientist in Richmond, Calif., said if Condit is not a suspect in Levy's disappearance, the search is likely an invasion of his privacy and "a huge waste of time."

"It's undisputed that Chandra Levy was in his apartment," Blake said. Therefore the search is unnecessary, "unless somebody is operating under a theory that her body was dismembered in his apartment, which even assuming that Congressman Condit is somehow behind her disappearance, would be beyond the pale in terms of stupidity."

Police have sent several items found in the apartment to the FBI crime lab for analysis, but would not give details.

Overnight Search

Police say they were searching for signs of a struggle in the apartment — perhaps through blood, hair and other DNA samples — and were seen carrying bags out of the apartment.

The four-hour search was carried out late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning based strictly upon an invitation from Condit's attorney, Abbe Lowell, and not because police had any real suspicion, known as "probable cause," police said.

Apartment Searched

Police have repeatedly said Condit, who is 53 and married, is not a suspect in the missing persons investigation of Levy, a 24-year-old former Federal Bureau of Prisons intern with whom he has acknowledged a romantic affair.

"There are no suspects, because we have no crime," Washington D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey said Wednesday. "But I do think that the reality is that a lot of attention has been focused on the congressman, whether that is right, wrong remains to be seen."

Evidence Lasts

A bluish "black light" was seen inside the darkened apartment during the search, as well as what appeared to be the beams of flashlights and flashes of light, perhaps from a camera flashbulb.