Lawrence trial hears fibres testimony

A FORENSIC scientist was “reluctant” to look for fibres on clothes seized from two men suspected of murdering Stephen Lawrence, the Old Bailey heard yesterday.

Adrian Wain told the court that because of the two-week gap between the stabbing and raids when the clothes were found, he did not believe any fibres would be left.

He said: “Given that there was this two-week gap between the offence and the seizure of the clothes I was reluctant to do the transfer of fibres from Stephen Lawrence on to the suspects. That and with the fact that I understood the attack was brief and contact was minimal.”

Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, deny taking part in the gang attack that killed Mr Lawrence in Eltham, London, in 1993.

The prosecution alleges that microscopic fibres, hair and blood found on clothes seized from their houses proves they took part in the murder.

Traces were found by a cold case squad in 2007.