Wisbech murder victim’s clothing couldn’t be tested ‘due to it being covered in blood or having been burnt’

A forensic scientist said she was “confident” that David Newton’s DNA was deposited onto Una Crown’s fingernails on the night of her murder.

The trial of the 70-year-old charged with the murder of his elderly neighbour in January 2013 continued today at Cambridge Crown Court.

Newton denies killing Una Crown, however, the court continued to hear from other forensic scientists who found some of Newton’s DNA on Mrs Crown’s fingernail clippings.

Clare Jarman, a forensic scientist who has been working in the field for 25 years, explained that multiple tests were taken from Mrs Crown’s body and clothing to test for her killer’s DNA.

These included numerous tape presses from Mrs Crown’s clothing as well as fingernail clippings.

Ms Jarman said DNA testing from Mrs Crown’s clothing was considered a “neutral finding” as only her own DNA was on the clothing.

She said the majority of clothing couldn’t be tested due to it being in blood or having been burnt.

Mrs Crown, 86, was stabbed multiple times to the neck and chest and her body was then set on fire.

Ms Jarman explained that DNA testing has developed since Mrs Crown’s murder in 2013.

Ms Jarman said: “In 2013, we didn’t test for male DNA. This method wasn’t used in forensic casework at the time.

“We sampled all five nail clippings together, we now have the ability to test to see if male DNA was present.”

She later said: “In my opinion, Mr Newton’s DNA could have been deposited at or around the time of Mrs Crown’s death.

Newton’s defence, Henry Grunward KC, questioned the potential chances that an “indirect transfer” of Newton’s DNA had taken place.

Ms Jarman said that she has “low expectations” that Newton’s DNA could have gotten under Una Crown’s fingernails by indirect transfer.

Mr Grunward also questioned the smaller presence of two other types of male DNA found on Mrs Crown’s fingernails.

She answered that there was a “major profile” of Newton’s DNA, the other presence is of a “significantly lower level”.

Ms Jarman said that the attacker’s DNA could have gotten under Mrs Crown’s fingernails if she had scratched him in a defensive way while being attacked.

Prosecutors Claire Matthews KC read out statements from five male members of Newton’s family, who provided DNA tests to determine their DNA wasn’t under Mrs Crown’s nails.

Four of Newton’s brothers and a cousin gave their recollections of where they were on the day, and none of them were in the Wisbech area.

Not up to date with what’s been said in court? Click the following links to find previous coverage of day one, two and three and four of the trial last week as well as Monday and Tuesday this week.

The trial continues.