Evidence said to link a man with murder could be as shaky as that which wrongly convicted the Birmingham pub bombers, a forensic expert has told Chelmsford Crown Court.
Ian Jarvis, 37, of Second Avenue, Canvey, denies murdering Ann Marie Couldridge, 28, of Hilton Road, Canvey, and setting fire to her flat.
Scientists said unique smoke odour analysis tests could point to Jarvis being present at the burning flat.
However, forensic expert Dr Roger Berrett said he was worried about the tests' inconclusive nature.
They were so new there were no scientific papers about them, or a databases of similar cases. He was unable to account for carbon particles found on Jarvis because there were too many possibilities.
Dr Berrett pointed out the Birmingham Six were wrongly convicted after mistaken conclusions over materials found on them.
"It turned out nitro cellulose had got there from shiny playing cards."
The trial continues.
Published Monday November 4, 2002
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