Vic: Chamberlain expert apologises at Leskie inquest

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2003
Vic: Chamberlain expert apologises at Leskie inquest

The DNA expert who helped get LINDY CHAMBERLAIN pardoned has apologised to forensic
staff for wrongly accusing them of perverting the course of justice in the JAIDYN LESKIE
case.

Earlier this month, Professor BARRY BOETTCHER, a former professor of biological science
at Newcastle University, claimed DNA evidence in the Victorian case was deliberately contaminated,
and the information withheld from the inquest.

But today, Professor BOETTCHER has told the inquest into JAIDYN's death he now knows
the allegations were wrong.

The body of 14-month-old JAIDYN LESKIE was recovered from a dam near Moe, in eastern
Victoria, on January the 1st, 1998 -- six months after he disappeared while being baby-sat
by GREG DOMASZEWICZ.

Professor BOETTCHER's comments related to DNA found on JAIDYN'S bib and tracksuit pants
that was later matched to a female rape victim with no apparent link to the case.

However, the coroner's court has been told the blood sample Professor BOETTCHER claimed
had contaminated JAIDYN's clothing had not arrived until seven months after the LESKIE
exhibits had left the forensic services' laboratory.

AAP RTV jt/kc/gfr/rt/rp

KEYWORD: LESKIE (MELBOURNE)

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