New DNA evidence has been used in the appeal of convicted killer Jeremy Bamber.

Home Office forensic scientist and DNA expert Dr Timothy Clayton, told the Court of Appeal that he carried out new tests on DNA taken from the sound moderator, which was used in the massacre.

He said the tests were only introduced into criminal case work in 2000 - 15 years after the murders.

At the trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in 1986, the jury heard Sheila's blood was found in the sound moderator meaning she could not have shot herself.

But at the Court of Appeal in London yesterday, Dr Clayton said DNA from the sound moderator was matched to June Bamber.

The hearing also heard there was a possibility of Sheila's DNA also being in the sound moderator.

Dr Clayton explained he used familial testing on the DNA.

Swabs were taken from the sound moderator of the murder weapon.

He said there was a mix of DNA present from more than one person.

He described the samples as having profile of people superimposed on each other. "It's like having a picture on the television screen and having another one superimposed on it, " he said.

"There was quite a strong picture with maybe a ghost in the background."

He called that dominant DNA "unknown female one" and was asked by Bamber's QC Michael Turner, if he had compared it with that of Sheila Caffell.

Dr Clayton said: "The profiles did not match."

Dr Clayton said he compared a profile of June's sister Pamela Boutflour with the profile of unknown female one.

He said there was strong evidence they were full siblings and the results were the highest he has seen for tests of this kind.

The appeal court heard samples from June Bamber had been destroyed in 1996.

Dr Clayton was asked to elaborate on the "ghost" DNA. He said there was prescence of male DNA but he could not evaluate whether it was Nevill Bamber's.

"In my opinion there's at least two individuals there and I believe more - my guess is that there's more likely three."

He added: "I was not able to exclude Sheila Caffell as a contributor."

Victor Temple QC, acting for the Crown asked Dr Clayton if Shelia Caffell's DNA was found in five of the seven DNA samples thought suitable for testing. He replied: "Yes."

Forensic expert Linda Groomridge said she had some dispute with Dr Clayton findings. She said there was some support that Sheila Caffell's DNA was there but there was some doubt.

Lord Justice Kay said: "There is evidence that was not available at the time of the trial - strong at the very least that June Bamber's DNA was on the silencer."

But he said as the information was not considerd by the jury at the time it could not be critical to the appeal's outcome.

The appeal hearing continues.

Published Thursday October 31, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette