No contamination of evidence, Lawrence trial told

FORENSIC evidence found on clothing seized from two men accused of murdering Stephen Lawrence could not realistically have got there by contamination in the early stages of the investigation, a court heard yesterday.

Forensic scientist Rosalyn Hammond told a jury at the Old Bailey that she had considered each stage of the handling of key exhibits until they were taken to a lab in 1993.

At each stage, she said that in her view there was no realistic possibility of contamination.

Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, deny taking part in the gang attack in which Mr Lawrence was killed in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993.

The prosecution argues that tiny amounts of fibres, blood and hair found on their clothes prove they were involved in the 18-year-old’s murder.

.Mr Lawrence’s clothes were stored in a disused police cell at Eltham police station, and on 26 April, 1993 his jacket was photographed on a groundsheet on the floor of the building.

The case continues.