The jury trying Ian Jarvis for the murder of Ann Marie Couldridge heard this is the only case in which pioneering scientific tests on the smell of smoke have been used.
Prosecutor Stephen Rose told the court: "It is admitted this is the only case in which smoke odour analysis has been used. It has not been used before or since."
Earlier in the hearing, experts explained how the results of scientific tests on Jarvis's clothing, items from Ann Marie's flat and items from a car attributed to Jarvis could suggest the defendant was at the victim's home during a fire.
Jarvis, 37, of Second Avenue, Canvey, denies murdering 28-year-old Ann Marie, his brother Eric's girlfriend, and setting fire to her flat in the island's Hilton Road, between May 11 and 14 last year.
Chelmsford Crown Court also heard how Ann Marie had borrowed £1,600 so she could pay off a debt to her former employers.
The trial continues.
Published Thursday October 31, 2002
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