Tests show an almost certain genetic match between blood samples taken from William Kennedy Smith and semen recovered from the body and clothing of the woman who says Smith raped her on the grounds of the Kennedy estate in Palm Beach, Fla., according to sources close to the investigation.

The DNA tests, which took two months to complete, show to a high degree of certainty whether a subject had intercourse with the other person tested.

But they do not show whether force was used or how many times intercourse occurred.

Smith, who has denied wrongdoing, faces criminal counts of second-degree sexual battery and first-degree misdemeanor battery, in the March 30 incident.

Smith, the 30-year-old nephew of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., remains free on bail. Kennedy's son, Patrick, told investigators that Smith had indicated to him he had sexual intercourse with the woman.

Palm Beach police, prosecutors and defense lawyers declined to comment on the tests yesterday.

Police say the senator, his son and Smith were were drinking together in a Palm Beach bar that night, when Smith met the 29-year-old woman. She told authorities that Smith tackled her and raped her near the pool at the Kennedys' ocean-side estate.

The prosecution and defense are expected to face off in court for the first time Friday for the arraignment and a hearing on a defense request to extend the deadline for motions to dismiss all charges.