After spending nine days on the stand, Chem Centre scientist Rees Powell finally wrapped up his evidence on day 79 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial.

It was during the end of his evidence-in-chief that it was revealed not only were fibres from the bodies of Ciara Glennon and Jane Rimmer analysed, the fibres from another WA cold case - which we have spoken about before on the podcast - the murder of Gerard Ross, was analysed along side the MACRO exhibits.

The fibres were also compared to see if there were any matches.

It was revealed there were matches, — but only from so-called “adventitious” sources, possibly from overshoes worn by police and sheets used in the state mortuary.

During his mammoth time on the stand, Mr Powell detailed the huge amount of fibres that had been collected during the investigation, and the number of fibres Chem Centre tested, dating back to 2009, numbered in the thousands.

On the final day of his evidence, a report put together by Mr Powell said the MACRO investigation is likely to be one of the largest textile fibre investigations ever conducted worldwide.

The defence had their chance to question Mr Powell during his cross examination, where he was

The state’s case - like the DNA portion of the trial, seemed to looking to find chances for contamination.

Mr Yovich asked Mr Powell about the possibility of a crowded hotel, packed with people, being a good environment for the transfer of fibres.

Such as the Continental Hotel, where Jane and Ciara spent parts of their last nights alive. Mr Powell agreed fibres could and would be transferred from people throughout the nights.

Now that Mr Powell has finished his evidence, the trial will move to the UK, where the state’s key fibre witness, Dr Ray Palmer, who will be giving evidence via video link.

The trial will sit later for the rest of the week.

Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they discuss day 79.

The West Australian has also released a two-part video series, as Tim Clarke takes you through the areas which are key to the trial, from Claremont, where the women went missing, to Hollywood hospital and to the sites were Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s bodies were found.

To watch those videos, head to:

Part 1:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z

Part 2:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z

If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

After spending nine days on the stand, Chem Centre scientist Rees Powell finally wrapped up his evidence on day 79 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial.
It was during the end of his evidence-in-chief that it was revealed not only were fibres from the bodies of Ciara Glennon and Jane Rimmer analysed, the fibres from another WA cold case - which we have spoken about before on the podcast - the murder of Gerard Ross, was analysed along side the MACRO exhibits.
The fibres were also compared to see if there were any matches.
It was revealed there were matches, &mdash; but only from so-called &ldquo;adventitious&rdquo; sources, possibly from overshoes worn by police and sheets used in the state mortuary.
During his mammoth time on the stand, Mr Powell detailed the huge amount of fibres that had been collected during the investigation, and the number of fibres Chem Centre tested, dating back to 2009, numbered in the thousands.
On the final day of his evidence, a report put together by Mr Powell said the MACRO investigation is likely to be one of the largest textile fibre investigations ever conducted worldwide.
The defence had their chance to question Mr Powell during his cross examination, where he was
The state&rsquo;s case - like the DNA portion of the trial, seemed to looking to find chances for contamination.
Mr Yovich asked Mr Powell about the possibility of a crowded hotel, packed with people, being a good environment for the transfer of fibres.
Such as the Continental Hotel, where Jane and Ciara spent parts of their last nights alive. Mr Powell agreed fibres could and would be transferred from people throughout the nights.
Now that Mr Powell has finished his evidence, the trial will move to the UK, where the state&rsquo;s key fibre witness, Dr Ray Palmer, who will be giving evidence via video link.
The trial will sit later for the rest of the week.
Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they discuss day 79.
The West Australian has also released a two-part video series, as Tim Clarke takes you through the areas which are key to the trial, from Claremont, where the women went missing, to Hollywood hospital and to the sites were Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon&rsquo;s bodies were found.
To watch those videos, head to:
Part 1:
https://<a href="http://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z">thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z</a>
Part 2:
https://<a href="http://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z">thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z</a>
If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, 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.

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