Accused cannot be excluded as DNA match

A TRIAL has heard of possible minor DNA matches between a murder accused and two girls found dead in 1977.

The High Court in Livingston was told that Angus Sinclair “cannot be excluded” as a contributor of minor DNA taken from swabs from the bodies of Helen Scott and Christine Eadie.

Sinclair, 69, denies raping and murdering the teenagers, both 17, who were last seen at the World’s End pub in Edinburgh on October 15 1977.

Sinclair is accused of carrying out the attacks with his brother-in-law, Gordon Hamilton, who is now dead.

Forensic scientist Susan Ure, 42, said she analysed four swabs Helen’s body.

They matched the DNA profile of Hamilton, the court heard.

The jury then heard that one of those swabs also contained a minor DNA profile of another individual, present at a lower level.

Ms Ure told the court: “If you assume that this DNA is originated f r om one

taken

from individual, Angus Sinclair cannot be excluded as a contributor of this minor DNA component.”

Her analysis concluded that it was approximately 106 times more likely that Sinclair was the source of the DNA, compared with another individual.

The court was also told about three swabs taken from Christine’s body.

Two produced f ull matches with Hamilton’s profile, as well as “weak indications” of DNA from another individual.

Sinclair, the court heard, “cannot be excluded as a contributor of minor DNA” and was, in reference to one swab, said to be 45 times more likely to be the source of that minor DNA than someone else.

Mr Pickles before, with animal care assistant Emily Drummond, and after, with animal care assistant Rhea Marnoch.