Detectives reviewing the death of 'spy in the bag' Gareth Williams are examining new forensic leads, it emerged yesterday.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it had launched a 'forensic review' of the MI6 analyst's mysterious death.
Advances in DNA and forensic techniques now mean a strand of hair found on Mr Williams's hand – from which experts could not extract a DNA profile – may shed new light on the case.
Experts previously needed the root of a hair to determine a DNA profile, but leading forensic scientist Professor Angela Gallop said recently that this was no longer the case, and investigators only need as little as 2mm of hair.
Traces of the DNA of two unidentified people found on the handle and padlock of the bag, plus the DNA of another unknown person on a green towel in Mr Williams's flat, could also be re-examined.
Professor Gallop and retired Detective Chief Superintendent Hamish Campbell, who oversaw the original case, have both previously called for a forensic review.
At his inquest, lawyers for his family suggested evidence of foul play included the lack of fingerprints on the bath and the fact that even though it was the height of summer the heating had been turned up in his flat, which caused his body to decompose quickly.
They also queried why no one from MI6 had reported the mobile phone analyst missing, even though Mr Williams had failed to turn up for work for five days, and questioned why an MI6 officer subsequently sent to check on Mr Williams had not forced entry to his flat when no one answered the door.
MI6 analyst Gareth Williams's 'spy in bag' death to be further examined thanks to new forensic lead | Daily Mail Online