A FORENSIC expert told the Heather Barnett murder trial today she could not say whether male DNA found on Elisa Claps’ jumper came from blood or saliva.

Dr Denise Sydercombe-Court told the jury at Winchester Crown Court that she disagreed with the prosecution expert Col Giampietro Lago that the male DNA-rich source was likely to have been from blood.

The defence does not dispute that the DNA on Elisa's remains matches that of accused Danilo Restivo, but disagrees with the prosecution's case on the source of the material.

Restivo, 39, admits meeting Elisa at a church on September 12, 1993, but claims she was alive and well when he last saw her.

The jury has previously heard how Restivo was treated for a cut hand later that day.

David Jeremy QC, for defendant Danilo Restivo, said agreed facts between Dr Sydercombe-Court, Col Lago and Claire Stangoe were that the female DNA on Elisa’s jumper was from blood and the male DNA on the jumper could be from blood. All agreed there is no evidence of semen.

Mr Jeremy said: “Col Lago said he thought it was more likely from blood. What do you think?”

Dr Sydercombe-Court replied: “I don’t believe that I could come to that conclusion. I couldn’t say whether it is blood or any other fluid-rich DNA.”

Danilo Restivo, of Chatsworth Road, Charminster, denies murdering Heather Barnett on November 12, 2002.

The prosecution claim there are striking similarities between the deaths of Heather and 16-year-old Italian schoolgirl Elisa who went missing in Potenza, Italy, in 1993.

Her remains were discovered in the loft of a church in Potenza in March last year.