Did the original handswabs (DRH/33) morph into the bible (DRH/44)?

[Holly Goodhead]

SC's hands were swabbed at PM on 7th Aug at 3.15pm by DC Hammersley (DRH) and given the exhibit number DRH/33.  The swabs were then submitted to the lab on 9th Aug but subsequently rejected as they were sent in with a firearm.  (The firearm was unconnected to the WHF case).

By the time the lab rejected the swabs SC's hands had been cleaned as part of the PM process so clearly any swabs subsequently taken were of no evidential value.

When DCI Ainsely took over the investigation he insisted the swabs were examined.  At JB's 2002 appeal Michael Turner QC argued further swabs were taken from SC's body or completely unrelated swabs were submitted.

192. It is on this material that Mr Turner advances the possibility that DRH/33 was never examined in September 1985 and that either further swabs were taken from Sheila Caffell's body or alternatively swabs which had never been taken from Sheila Caffell at all were substituted. Mr Turner's submission as it appears in his skeleton argument is:

"It is submitted that had DRH/33 been the swabs examined, firstly the exhibit books would have recorded the fact of submission on 13/09 and secondly, if they were examined it is unlikely they would have existed in February 1996, to be destroyed. It is submitted that the overwhelming probability is that a second clean set of hand swabs were submitted in place of DRH/33."

DC Hammersley's trial testimony confirms the hand swabs were given the exhibit number DRH/33 and the bible DRH/44:

http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=165.0;attach=213

http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=165.0;attach=221

It is worth noting:

- Whichever way you look at it the hand swab 'evidence' is fatally flawed and most definitely does not show SC did not handle the ammo on 7th Aug.  From #56 onwards: http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=7970.msg421865#msg421865

- It appears the defence, jury, Michael Turner, trial judge and appeal judges were all oblivious as to whose blood stained the pages of the bible.

- It is accepted during the 1980's the FSS was responsible for some "high profile quality failures".

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmsctech/writev/forensic/m61.htm

3.3 FSS Quality

3.3.1 Following some high profile quality failures in the 1980s the FSS implemented accreditation to quality standards from 1993 onwards, a world first for forensic science. The present FSS in-house quality framework goes well beyond the basic requirements of ISO17025 and is in close accord with the FSR’s forthcoming Codes. Indeed, before closure was announced the FSS were planning to act as a test-bed for compliance to this code later this year.

The CoA doc 2002 sets out the hand swab/exhibit number evidence at Ground 1a points 175 - 213 and bible at Ground 9 points 405 - 421.  Ground 1a makes reference to the exhibit number given to the bible DRH/44 but Ground 9 makes no such reference. 

I might have thought this was a genuine administrative error but the fact that no one seems to know whose blood stained the bible leads me to conclude there's something iffy going on here.

More worrying is the fact that Michael Turner and the appeal court judges appear to overlook:

- DRH/44 was the exhibit number given to the bible.  Why not say DRH/44 was the number given to the bible?
- No mention of DRH/44 in ground 9.
- No mention of whose blood stained the pages of the bible in ground 9. And no mention in John Hayward's handwritten notes covering all blood stained exhibits or Dr Lincoln's report sent to the defence.  These are not genuine administrative errors.  It is overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing at the lab.  IMO the lab were working with the police to fabricate and withhold evidence.

http://www.homepage-link.to/justice/judgements/Bamber/index.html

It's a bit boring and confusing but a quick scan of ground 1a and ground 9 illustrates the points about the exhibit numbers. 

[Holly Goodhead]

John Hayward's report covering all blood stained exhibits and samples from victims and others:

http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=260.msg4425#msg4425

Dr Lincoln's report for the defence covering all the main blood stained exhibits (pages 12 - 17):

http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=276.msg4584#msg4584

BUT NO BIBLE!

[John]

Ir's a pity they didn't test the original hand swabs despite the risk of contamination because if they had come back clean and free of GSR then that would have been all the validation necessary that Sheila never handled any weapon or ammunition.

[Holly Goodhead]

Ir's a pity they didn't test the original hand swabs despite the risk of contamination because if they had come back clean and free of GSR then that would have been all the validation necessary that Sheila never handled any weapon or ammunition.

The prosecution claim to have tested the original hand swabs:

215. At trial Mr Elliott had given evidence of the results of testing the swabs for lead, which included information about other elements detectable on the swab. He had also given evidence of the comparative tests carried out on other scientists after they had handled ammunition from the same source as that used in the killings and loaded it into the magazine. The tests were said to demonstrate appreciably higher lead levels on the scientists' hands than were found on the swabs taken from the hands of Sheila Caffell. This was put forward as evidence that Sheila Caffell had not handled the cartridges in a manner consistent with her being the killer.

Lets assume the prosecution did test the original swabs.  The results are invalid for the following reasons:

- DC Hammersley used a "special kit" designed for GSR.  SC's hands were swabbed at PM on 7th Aug at 3.15pm.
- GSR dissipates after 3 - 5 hours regardless of any other factors.
- Dissipation is increased by any movement.  DI Cook moved SC's hand to enable DC Bird to take photographs underneath.  SC's hands were placed in bags at soc.  The bags were not forensically examined.
- SC was found in an environment where the rifle has been discharged a total of 13 or 14 times with 2 of the 13/14 discharges over her body.  Even if GSR had been present the prosecution could simply argue this away by asserting JB fired the rifle over SC's body twice and placed her hands/fingers on rifle as found at soc.
- Although the "special kit" was designed to test for the presence of GSR the FSS decided it would single out lead and test for this.  This isn't a valid scientific test.  There's no scientific evidence that handling the Eley cartridges and loading into the mag will contaminate the hands with lead.  Low levels of lead would be expected on the hands from handling everyday items and this is what the test showed for SC and the 2 testees.  Although the swabs for the testees showed higher levels of lead than the swabs taken from SC they were not quantitatively different. The difference could be accounted for by handling a leaded fuel pump at a filling station.  SC was not a car driver.  The testees hands were not swabbed to determine lead levels PRIOR to handling the bullets. 

I would suggest the above is one of many reasons why the UK Gov concluded:

3.3 FSS Quality

3.3.1 Following some high profile quality failures in the 1980s the FSS implemented accreditation to quality standards from 1993 onwards, a world first for forensic science. The present FSS in-house quality framework goes well beyond the basic requirements of ISO17025 and is in close accord with the FSR’s forthcoming Codes. Indeed, before closure was announced the FSS were planning to act as a test-bed for compliance to this code later this year.

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmsctech/writev/forensic/m61.htm

Then we have the so-called ballistics expert, Malcolm Fletcher, whose testimony formed the backbone of the case against JB, advise the court his relevant experience included experience of an air rifle as a small boy. 

JB should be in postion to sue the Home Office for millions. 

[John]

Thanks for that Holly.  As a former firearms officer I can tell you that loading and firing 22 rounds will leave stains on your fingers which only washing will remove.  I'm afraid the results were conclusive and again showed that Sheila was not the killer.

[adam]

Thanks for that Holly.  As a former firearms officer I can tell you that loading and firing 22 rounds will leave stains on your fingers which only washing will remove.  I'm afraid the results were conclusive and again showed that Sheila was not the killer.

But I've been told that Julie identifying the bodies makes Bamber innocent.

[Holly Goodhead]

Thanks for that Holly.  As a former firearms officer I can tell you that loading and firing 22 rounds will leave stains on your fingers which only washing will remove.  I'm afraid the results were conclusive and again showed that Sheila was not the killer.

What do the stains represent?

DC Hammersley confirmed SC's hands appeared clean at soc.

http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=165.0;attach=211

I visited a gun shop and loaded the Anshutz mag with the Eley bullets and my hands were perfectly clean to the naked eye. 
 


   

[John]

What do the stains represent?

DC Hammersley confirmed SC's hands appeared clean at soc.

http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=165.0;attach=211

I visited a gun shop and loaded the Anshutz mag with the Eley bullets and my hands were perfectly clean to the naked eye. 
   

Did you fire 22 shots?    You have to remember that the magazine, the trigger and the rest of the firing mechanism as well as the rifle itself becomes heavily contaminated over time and we know that the shooter at WHF reloaded at least twice.  The only way someone cannot get contaminants on their hands and fingers is by wearing gloves.

[John]

But I've been told that Julie identifying the bodies makes Bamber innocent.

    if only it was so simple as that.

[Holly Goodhead]

Did you fire 22 shots?    You have to remember that the magazine, the trigger and the rest of the firing mechanism as well as the rifle itself becomes heavily contaminated over time and we know that the shooter at WHF reloaded at least twice.  The only way someone cannot get contaminants on their hands and fingers is by wearing gloves.

No I didn't fire any shots but I can arrange to do so and get the whole thing videoed.  Would anyone from the guilty camp like to take part?  I could wear all white which will highlight any debris on clothes.  Malcolm Fletcher claimed the bullets ejected a black waxy substance, beeswax, which he expected to find on SC's nightdress but didn't.  We could inspect my clothes and hands for any debris and arrange for some publicity.  Is anyone up for this little experiment?   

But the "special kit" was designed to test for the presence of GSR and this didn't happen.  As we know GSR occurs upon discharge of a firearm.  Instead it turned into a test for the presence of lead from handling the bullets.  In this case I don't see how the presence or lack of GSR would determine anything:

- An absence of GSR (SC's hands and forehead were swabbed) could be explained by the fact the firearm used was a rifle which is more likely to deposit any GSR in the crook of the arm.  Also as posted up thread GSR dissipates after 3 - 5 hours regardless of any other factors.  And this will be exacerbated by other factors such as movement which happened in this case.

- The presence of GSR could be explained by the fact SC was found in an environment where the rifle had been discharged numerous times and twice over her body with her hands/fingers found resting on the rifle.

In any event the test turned into one of lead on hands from handling bullets which has no scientific basis to it. 

[Holly Goodhead]

But I've been told that Julie identifying the bodies makes Bamber innocent.

Oh I thought it was JM's choice of underwear, or lack of, for the NOTW article!

Maybe we should all undertake the Myers Briggs test and see if we can find any correlations between the way in which posters' perceive info and make decisions? 

[adam]

   if only it was so simple as that.

At least I know Bamber couldn't have cycled or walked to/from WHF. As it's been said he could get lost.

[John]

No I didn't fire any shots but I can arrange to do so and get the whole thing videoed.  Would anyone from the guilty camp like to take part?  I could wear all white which will highlight any debris on clothes.  Malcolm Fletcher claimed the bullets ejected a black waxy substance, beeswax, which he expected to find on SC's nightdress but didn't.  We could inspect my clothes and hands for any debris and arrange for some publicity.  Is anyone up for this little experiment?   

But the "special kit" was designed to test for the presence of GSR and this didn't happen.  As we know GSR occurs upon discharge of a firearm.  Instead it turned into a test for the presence of lead from handling the bullets.  In this case I don't see how the presence or lack of GSR would determine anything:

- An absence of GSR (SC's hands and forehead were swabbed) could be explained by the fact the firearm used was a rifle which is more likely to deposit any GSR in the crook of the arm.  Also as posted up thread GSR dissipates after 3 - 5 hours regardless of any other factors.  And this will be exacerbated by other factors such as movement which happened in this case.

- The presence of GSR could be explained by the fact SC was found in an environment where the rifle had been discharged numerous times and twice over her body with her hands/fingers found resting on the rifle.

In any event the test turned into one of lead on hands from handling bullets which has no scientific basis to it.

Remember too that the killer had a fight with Nevill Bamber over the kitchen table sending crockery flying everywhere and smashing a ceiling light. We have been through this all before numerous times, a petite young girl like Sheila could not have fought with Nevill and come away without a hair out of place. To suggest otherwise is just illogical.

[Holly Goodhead]

Remember too that the killer had a fight with Nevill Bamber over the kitchen table sending crockery flying everywhere and smashing a ceiling light. We have been through this all before numerous times, a petite young girl like Sheila could not have fought with Nevill and come away without a hair out of place. To suggest otherwise is just illogical.

Well I don't think there's anything illogical about it given the serious nature of the GSW's NB sustained upstairs. 

John would you like to take part with me in my video production re any debris produced from loading the bullets and discharging the rifle?  It would work best with someone from the guilty camp.     

[John]

Holly, if I thought for a moment that it would achieve anything I would but I know from personal experience that all sorts of contaminants get onto ones fingers and hands whilst handling and firing weapons so trying to prove otherwise is futile.