Murder trial hears of hair link

Ms McCabe, 20, disappeared after a night out in 1980

A man accused of murdering a woman 27 years ago has been linked to a single hair found in plastic sheeting used to transfer her body, a court has heard.

Forensic expert Dr Jonathan Whittaker was giving evidence at the trial of Vincent Simpson who is accused of killing Elizabeth McCabe.

Ms McCabe's naked body was discovered in Templeton Woods on the outskirts of Dundee in February 1980.

Vincent Simpson, of Camberley, Surrey, denies killing the nursery nurse.

Dr Whittaker said recent advances in DNA technology were allowing many unsolved crimes to be reinvestigated.

Single hair

He explained how two years ago he examined the black plastic sheeting used to transfer Ms McCabe's body to the mortuary in 1980.

He found a single hair. He said his research strongly suggested the hair originated from Mr Simpson.

He added that the chances of it not coming from him were one in 1,300.

Dr Whittaker also said he had given evidence perhaps hundred of times in Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia.

At the time of the attack, Mr Simpson was living in the village of Newtyle, near Dundee, and operating a private hire taxi business.

The trial before Lord Kinchlaven continues.