THAT moment, the phone call which changed the Claremont Serial Killings investigation after almost two decades of nothing, was described by the police officer, that took the call from UK scientists who said male DNA had been found with Ciara Glennon’s fingernail samples.

That officer was former head of MACRO, Jim Stanbury, who took the stand today.

What followed the call would change the whole investigation. Police no longer had to rely on alibis or witnesses.

The DNA doesn’t lie, and if the person of interest didn’t match the male DNA found, they weren’t considered a suspect anymore.

That’s how the man police suspected for almost a decade of being the Claremont Serial Killer - Lance Williams - was cleared.

Day 51 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial also revealed the other high profile cases which police had sent tp the UK.

We’d previously heard about the Gerard Ross murder case, but the FSS also tested exhibits from one of WA’s most high profile murder cases in recent history, the murder of Corryn Rayney, as well as a double homicide which ended up in a conviction - which Justice Hall himself sentenced.

We found out this because Det Sgt Stanbury had to fly to the UK to collect the exhibits when the FSS was shut down.

In this episode, Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and forensic DNA expert Brendan Chapman discuss why the UK state lab, which helped in the breakthrough for WA police, was shut down,  “The CSI effect”,  and the moment of relief for investigators of the Claremont case. We also answer some of your questions.

If you have any questions for the podcast team, or any of their guests, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

THAT moment, the phone call which changed the Claremont Serial Killings investigation after almost two decades of nothing, was described by the police officer, that took the call from UK scientists who said male DNA had been found with Ciara Glennon&rsquo;s fingernail samples.
That officer was former head of MACRO, Jim Stanbury, who took the stand today.
What followed the call would change the whole investigation. Police no longer had to rely on alibis or witnesses.
The DNA doesn&rsquo;t lie, and if the person of interest didn&rsquo;t match the male DNA found, they weren&rsquo;t considered a suspect anymore.
That&rsquo;s how the man police suspected for almost a decade of being the Claremont Serial Killer - Lance Williams - was cleared.
Day 51 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial also revealed the other high profile cases which police had sent tp the UK.
We&rsquo;d previously heard about the Gerard Ross murder case, but the FSS also tested exhibits from one of WA&rsquo;s most high profile murder cases in recent history, the murder of Corryn Rayney, as well as a double homicide which ended up in a conviction - which Justice Hall himself sentenced.
We found out this because Det Sgt Stanbury had to fly to the UK to collect the exhibits when the FSS was shut down.
In this episode, Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and forensic DNA expert Brendan Chapman discuss why the UK state lab, which helped in the breakthrough for WA police, was shut down,&nbsp; &ldquo;The CSI effect&rdquo;,&nbsp; and the moment of relief for investigators of the Claremont case. We also answer some of your questions.
If you have any questions for the podcast team, or any of their guests, send them in to <a href="mailto:claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au">claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au</a>

Ever since the shocking deaths of three young women in 1996 and 1997, the unanswered questions surrounding the Claremont serial killings have remained one of the biggest mysteries in WA history.

Any hope of justice in the tragic deaths of Ciara Glennon, Sarah Spiers and Jane Rimmer seemed bleak for more than 20 years, with police coming unstuck and no sign of a breakthrough.

That was until the arrest of Bradley Robert Edwards in 2016, who was subsequently charged with the trio's murders.

For the past three years details about the allegations facing Mr Edwards have been in short supply as his case headed toward what has been dubbed the trial of the century.

Now, we bring you in to the courtroom and walk you through all the revelations, allegations and talking points as the historic court case unfolds.

Join our team of journalists and legal experts as we break down all the key information from the proceedings in Claremont: The Trial.

Ever since the shocking deaths of three young women in 1996 and 1997, the unanswered questions surrounding the Claremont serial killings have remained one of the biggest mysteries in WA history.
Any hope of justice in the tragic deaths of Ciara Glennon, Sarah Spiers and Jane Rimmer seemed bleak for more than 20 years, with police coming unstuck and no sign of a breakthrough.
That was until the arrest of Bradley Robert Edwards in 2016, who was subsequently charged with the trio's murders.
For the past three years details about the allegations facing Mr Edwards have been in short supply as his case headed toward what has been dubbed the trial of the century.
Now, we bring you in to the courtroom and walk you through all the revelations, allegations and talking points as the historic court case unfolds.
Join our team of journalists and legal experts as we break down all the key information from the proceedings in Claremont: The Trial.

Advertisement