Dozens of women are refusing to give DNA samples which would rule them out of potentially crucial evidence in the Stephen Lawrence murder investigation. Detectives investigating the murder say they have DNA of a woman on a handbag strap, close to the place where Stephen was murdered.
In a fresh appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch programme police made the revelation though they didn't disclose the significance of the thin black leather strap. The strap in question was rediscovered two years ago by police in one of the 150 crates of evidence they have on the murder.
Detectives have spoken to over 110 people about the black strap and 50 of them agreed to give DNA samples, 46 have refused, while 12 failed to respond to police requests.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said “Having reviewed police statements, and re-interviewed witnesses from the initial inquiry, officers now believe that the strap may be of significance to the investigation.”
It also turns out due to a misreading of a report, the police did not realise of 20 years the importance of the black leather strap. The police notes, documents the strap being found 300 feet from the scene of the attack. However, police discovered the strap was found just 15 feet away from the poll of Stephen’s blood and 26 feet from his bag. Officers suspect the strap is part of the weapon used to fatally injure the student.
Stephen Lawrence, an A-Level student, was stabbed twice in Eltham, south east London in 1993 as he waited for a bus.
