New police inquiry on Bamber

A new police inquiry into the case of Jeremy Bamber, whose conviction for the mass murder of his family is to be reviewed by the Court of Appeal, starts tomorrow.

Forensic scientists are said to have uncovered crucial new evidence about blood on the silencer of the gun used in the killings. The four-month long investigation will re-examine swabs taken from the hands of Bamber's dead sister, who was at first considered a murder suspect, as well as the fresh DNA evidence. The police will also re-examine the destruction of blood exhibits.

Bamber, 39, was jailed for life 15 years ago for shooting dead his mother, father, sister and twin nephews at the family farmhouse in Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex in 1985. He stood to inherit a £500,000 fortune. Bamber's case has been referred back to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission and will be heard next year.