Tests have revealed a rape victim's blood on Liam Reid's shoe, his DNA under her fingernail, and on the rope he is accused of using to strangle her, a scientist told the High Court in Christchurch.
Reid, 36, is accused of raping and attempted murder of a Dunedin student in November last year and also with the rape and murder of deaf woman Emma Agnew nine days earlier in Christchurch.
Pauline Simon, a forensic scientist with ESR, told the court that the tests done on Reid's right shoe provided "extremely strong" DNA originating from the student he has denied raping, sexually violating, robbing and attempting to murder in Dunedin, the Christchurch Court News website reported.
The DNA fingernail analysis and the middle section of the rope used to strangle her provided "very strong" support that Reid was involved, she said.
Her earlier testimony linked Reid to a pubic hair found on a pillow in the back of murder victim, Miss Agnew's, car.
Defence counsel David Bunce is continuing to cross-examine Dr Simon this afternoon, and the crown may close its case today or tomorrow.
The trial is now in its 12th day before Justice Lester Chisholm and a jury.
