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Lawrence trial: Defence claims contamination risks Lawrence trial: Defence claims contamination risks
(40 minutes later)
Contamination of forensic evidence in the Stephen Lawrence murder case could have occured in nine possible ways, the Old Bailey has been told.Contamination of forensic evidence in the Stephen Lawrence murder case could have occured in nine possible ways, the Old Bailey has been told.
Tim Roberts, lawyer for Gary Dobson, said blood flakes could have escaped from Mr Lawrence's clothes and found their way onto the suspect's garments.Tim Roberts, lawyer for Gary Dobson, said blood flakes could have escaped from Mr Lawrence's clothes and found their way onto the suspect's garments.
On Thursday, forensic scientist Rosalyn Hammond said there was no realistic possibility of contamination.On Thursday, forensic scientist Rosalyn Hammond said there was no realistic possibility of contamination.
Mr Dobson, 36 and David Norris, 35, deny murdering the 18-year-old in 1993.Mr Dobson, 36 and David Norris, 35, deny murdering the 18-year-old in 1993.
The prosecution alleges they were part of a group of white youths that shouted a racist remark before forcing Mr Lawrence to the ground and stabbing him twice in Eltham, south-east London.The prosecution alleges they were part of a group of white youths that shouted a racist remark before forcing Mr Lawrence to the ground and stabbing him twice in Eltham, south-east London.
Mr Roberts was questioning Ms Hammond, a scientist from LGC Forensics, who has considered the risks of contamination for the prosecution.Mr Roberts was questioning Ms Hammond, a scientist from LGC Forensics, who has considered the risks of contamination for the prosecution.
The presence of Mr Lawrence's heavily-bloodstained clothing - "bundled together" by hospital staff and subsequently dried out - meant there was a risk blood flakes could escape and find their way onto the suspect's clothes, Mr Roberts said.The presence of Mr Lawrence's heavily-bloodstained clothing - "bundled together" by hospital staff and subsequently dried out - meant there was a risk blood flakes could escape and find their way onto the suspect's clothes, Mr Roberts said.
He said the risk was heightened by the way some clothes had been cut from Mr Lawrence's body, producing large numbers of material fibres.He said the risk was heightened by the way some clothes had been cut from Mr Lawrence's body, producing large numbers of material fibres.
Ms Hammond said the way these items had been handled did not heighten the risk of evidence contamination.Ms Hammond said the way these items had been handled did not heighten the risk of evidence contamination.
But she said it could have led to fragments of evidence being transferred between the five items of clothing Mr Lawrence had been wearing that night.But she said it could have led to fragments of evidence being transferred between the five items of clothing Mr Lawrence had been wearing that night.
Mr Roberts said the fact that packages of clothing had been frequently moved also increased the risk.Mr Roberts said the fact that packages of clothing had been frequently moved also increased the risk.
"All that travelling and movements" heightens the risk of contamination, he said."All that travelling and movements" heightens the risk of contamination, he said.
Ms Hammond responded that the "manipulation" of the packaging might be a risk factor, but not necessarily the way they were taken in cars between police stations and laboratories.Ms Hammond responded that the "manipulation" of the packaging might be a risk factor, but not necessarily the way they were taken in cars between police stations and laboratories.
Fifteen yearsFifteen years
Mr Roberts cited as another factor the length of the case - 15 years by the time the evidence was reviewed by LGC Forensics.Mr Roberts cited as another factor the length of the case - 15 years by the time the evidence was reviewed by LGC Forensics.
Ms Hammond said that was not in itself important, arguing that it depended how the exhibits had been handled.Ms Hammond said that was not in itself important, arguing that it depended how the exhibits had been handled.
But she acknowledged an increased risk because anti-contamination procedures were not as stringent as today; also because sellotape seals on bags had come undone.But she acknowledged an increased risk because anti-contamination procedures were not as stringent as today; also because sellotape seals on bags had come undone.
Earlier Ms Hammond was questioned closely about her reliance on a "paper trail" when considering the risks of contamination, rather than extensive examination of the exhibits.Earlier Ms Hammond was questioned closely about her reliance on a "paper trail" when considering the risks of contamination, rather than extensive examination of the exhibits.
She felt she generally had all the information she needed, she responded.She felt she generally had all the information she needed, she responded.
She accepted she was not an expert in the science which might lead particles of evidence to move between items of clothing in the lab. But she said as a scientist she did "observe how things behave in a lab environment".She accepted she was not an expert in the science which might lead particles of evidence to move between items of clothing in the lab. But she said as a scientist she did "observe how things behave in a lab environment".
Ms Hammond also told the Old Bailey that exhibits in the case were not tampered with even though one officer had deliberately sabotaged his own records.
It would be clear if any packages had been opened without permission, she said.
The jury has already been told that Det Con Paul Steed - who had been in charge of exhibits in the murder investigation - altered his own records after being thrown off the case following a conviction for assault.
The defence claims forensic evidence, found in 2008 in a cold case review and allegedly linking Mr Dobson and Mr Norris to the killing of the black teenager, resulted from contamination.The defence claims forensic evidence, found in 2008 in a cold case review and allegedly linking Mr Dobson and Mr Norris to the killing of the black teenager, resulted from contamination.
The prosecution says tiny amounts of blood, fibres, and hair found on clothes taken from the men's homes prove their guilt.The prosecution says tiny amounts of blood, fibres, and hair found on clothes taken from the men's homes prove their guilt.
The trial continues.The trial continues.