DETAILED forensic tests on a towel found in murder victim Heather Barnett’s flat showed a partial match to Danilo Restivo, Winchester Crown Court heard today.
Forensic consultant Claire Stangoe said previous tapings taken from the blood stained light green towel found DNA components from two people.
The major component matched Heather Barnett.
The minor partial DNA component could have come from Restivo, Miss Stangoe added.
She said the probability of these minor components coming from somebody other than and unrelated to Restivo is one in 57,000.
Miss Stagnoe also carried out forensic tests on a pair of Restivo’s trainers, which a police officer found in his bath and smelt of bleach.
She said tests on the inner soles of the trainers showed strong reactions to blood, although blood was not visible.
The court also heard evidence from forensic scientist Peter Lamb who examined strands of hair placed under Heather’s left hand.
He said they had been cut near the root with a single bladed instrument, not as sharp as a scalpel but such as a brand new kitchen knife. Restivo, 39, of Chatsworth Road, Charminster, Bournemouth, denies murdering Heather Barnett on November 12, 2002.
The trial continues.
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