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| Thailand backpacker murders: DNA evidence 'lost' - police | Thailand backpacker murders: DNA evidence 'lost' - police |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Crucial DNA evidence in the case of the murder of two British backpackers cannot be retested because it no longer exists, Thai police have told the BBC. | Crucial DNA evidence in the case of the murder of two British backpackers cannot be retested because it no longer exists, Thai police have told the BBC. |
| The evidence is central to the prosecution case against two Burmese migrants on trial for killing David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk. | The evidence is central to the prosecution case against two Burmese migrants on trial for killing David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk. |
| The defence had wanted it re-examined. | The defence had wanted it re-examined. |
| It comes as Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, who both deny murder, rape and robbery, appear in court for a second day. | It comes as Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, who both deny murder, rape and robbery, appear in court for a second day. |
| The judge in the trial had been due to make a decision on whether the DNA evidence could be independently verified. | |
| Police tests | Police tests |
| The tourists' bodies were found on a beach on the island of Koh Tao last September, sparking a major police investigation and intense local and international pressure to find those responsible. | The tourists' bodies were found on a beach on the island of Koh Tao last September, sparking a major police investigation and intense local and international pressure to find those responsible. |
| Thai police claim DNA they gathered and tested in a police laboratory links both men to Miss Witheridge's body. | |
| Speaking to the BBC, Lieutenant Colonel Somsak, who led the original investigation, said some of the original DNA samples had been "used up". | Speaking to the BBC, Lieutenant Colonel Somsak, who led the original investigation, said some of the original DNA samples had been "used up". |
| A hair sample found in Miss Witheridge's hand was among samples that were lost, he said. | A hair sample found in Miss Witheridge's hand was among samples that were lost, he said. |
| Lieutenant Colonel Somsak said all police could offer the court was documentation of the results. | Lieutenant Colonel Somsak said all police could offer the court was documentation of the results. |
| "There's nothing left. It was used up when we tested the first time," he said. | "There's nothing left. It was used up when we tested the first time," he said. |
| BBC Myanmar/Burma correspondent Jonah Fisher, who is in Koh Samui for the trial, said the DNA evidence had seemed like the strongest piece of evidence in a complex and confusing case - and now it cannot be independently verified. | BBC Myanmar/Burma correspondent Jonah Fisher, who is in Koh Samui for the trial, said the DNA evidence had seemed like the strongest piece of evidence in a complex and confusing case - and now it cannot be independently verified. |
| The news will support the argument of those who believe the accused have been framed by the Thai authorities, our correspondent said. | The news will support the argument of those who believe the accused have been framed by the Thai authorities, our correspondent said. |
| Bodies 'unclothed' | Bodies 'unclothed' |
| On the opening day of the trial the first police officer to reach the murder scene described how the bodies were found a few metres apart, and were unclothed. | On the opening day of the trial the first police officer to reach the murder scene described how the bodies were found a few metres apart, and were unclothed. |
| Mr Zaw and Mr Wai (also known as Win Zaw Htun), both 22, were arrested several weeks later. | Mr Zaw and Mr Wai (also known as Win Zaw Htun), both 22, were arrested several weeks later. |
| They are said to have confessed to the crime but later retracted their statements. | They are said to have confessed to the crime but later retracted their statements. |
| The defendants have repeatedly stated their innocence over the murders, which happened on 15 September last year, with the defence alleging they were framed. | The defendants have repeatedly stated their innocence over the murders, which happened on 15 September last year, with the defence alleging they were framed. |
| Verdicts in the case are not expected until October. | Verdicts in the case are not expected until October. |