Expert baffled by Falconio evidence DNA contamination
Amanda Morgan | 12.11.2005 03:31 | World
The court also heard swabs taken from the back of the couple's Kombi van were not tested for gunshot residue because there was no evidence of a gun being used or a cartridge being found at the crime scene.
here was no evidence of a gun being used
DNA evidence from
handcuffs allegedly
used on Joanne Lees
was contaminated.
AUSTRALIA: NT: The director of the Northern Territory's forensic science unit has told a Darwin court he does not know how his DNA contaminated a key piece of evidence in the Peter Falconio murder trial.
Peter Thatcher was called to testify after the court heard his DNA was found on hand restraints that allegedly bound the wrists of Peter Falconio's girlfriend, Joanne Lees.
Dr Thatcher said he did not know how it got there and that, in line with protocol, he believed he was wearing gloves when he handled the ties.
He told the court his DNA could have been transferred by a sneeze or dandruff.
The court also heard swabs taken from the back of the couple's Kombi van were not tested for gunshot residue because there was no evidence of a gun being used or a cartridge being found at the crime scene.
Murdoch has pleaded not guilty to killing Mr Falconio and assaulting Joanne Lees in July 2001.
handcuffs allegedly
used on Joanne Lees
was contaminated.
AUSTRALIA: NT: The director of the Northern Territory's forensic science unit has told a Darwin court he does not know how his DNA contaminated a key piece of evidence in the Peter Falconio murder trial.
Peter Thatcher was called to testify after the court heard his DNA was found on hand restraints that allegedly bound the wrists of Peter Falconio's girlfriend, Joanne Lees.
Dr Thatcher said he did not know how it got there and that, in line with protocol, he believed he was wearing gloves when he handled the ties.
He told the court his DNA could have been transferred by a sneeze or dandruff.
The court also heard swabs taken from the back of the couple's Kombi van were not tested for gunshot residue because there was no evidence of a gun being used or a cartridge being found at the crime scene.
Murdoch has pleaded not guilty to killing Mr Falconio and assaulting Joanne Lees in July 2001.
Amanda Morgan