Response

When was the knife sent into the Scottish Police Authority for testing?

These productions were submitted to the Lothian and Borders Forensic Science Laboratory between 1st July 2003 and 30th June 2004. Productions 198 and 199 are listed on the productions as submitted to the lab on the 20th August 2003.

What type of knife was it? Please can you describe this knife in exact detail in terms of size, make, model and any unusual features etc. What was the labelling information for this knife?

Knife with sheath Labelled “Skip in yard of Newbattle House Farm 19th August 2003” (198) - The item was found to be a yellow plastic handled knife with a brown plastic sheath. The blade was 88mm long with a maximum width of 20mm. Some rusty patches. The blade was relatively blunt. The end of the blade was broken off. No blood was found on the item.

“Kershaw by Kai, Japan” etched into blade and also moulded/embossed into the plastic yellow handle. No unusual features other than the tip being broken off. No further details regarding make or model. It is not a folding or locking type knife.

What was the labelling information for this knife?

Piece of knife blade Labelled “within skip, Newbattle Home Farm, Newtongrange 20th August 03” (199)
This was found to be a metal piece of blade 11mm in maximum width and 28mm in maximum length. The piece of blade fitted to the knife with sheath described previously to form a complete knife. No blood was found on the knife. The broken blade was stained and dirty.

When were the results of the testing sent to the COPFS?

The report would have been sent to the Procurator Fiscal once the forensic report was signed and issued by the forensic scientist. The biology report was signed and issued on the 4th October 2004.