WATCH: Forensic scientists examine evidence in Caroline Glachan murder case

Clyde News has been given access to the forensic lab at the Scottish Crime Campus in Gartcosh.

Published 29th Sep 2016

Forensic scientists working on the cold-case of Caroline Glachan have been prioritising the evidence as they test over 300 samples.

Back in August 1996 the Bonhill teenager was killed and her body was discovered in the River Leven but Police have never found those responsible for her death.

As part of our #JusticeForCaroline campaign we have been given access to the forensic lab at the Scottish Crime Campus in Gartcosh.

Detectives are certain that the answer to her murder lies in the local community but they hope that with the forensic opportunities now available, it will help them trace whoever is responsible for her murder.

Our reporter Shiona McCallum has been speaking to Amanda Pirie who is the lead scientist on major crime.

She told us: "Lots of items have already been recovered 20 years ago which is what we'll be looking at but our job is to start at the beginning again, making no assumptions as if the crime had just happened.

"The main aim is to assume nothing as because of the developments in DNA technology we are capable of a lot more.

"There's a complete review of the productions and we use the information to prioritise which samples we'll look at first, in a systematic manner.

"When people have made efforts to dispose of a body of evidence, that's always detrimental. But DNA 24 gives us more of a chance to get a profile even with water damage.

"We even surprise ourselves with samples we get back, so we'll try testing everything.

"The scientist has all the files and will look and see what materials we still have, or if we need to get more samples. Items relating to the body and crime scene are the priority, because they are more likely to have come into contact with Caroline.

"We are providing this dedicated resource so we can look at the case in more depth, and quicker.

"We want to take our time though, as we want to explore every avenue."