DNA samples found on two alleged murder weapons match that of both the accused Keith Rizzo and his alleged victim Neomi Smith, a trial has heard.
Giving evidence at Glasgow High Court, forensic scientist Sarah Clement said examinations were carried out on blood from two knives found near Ms Smith, who was allegedly attacked by her boyfriend in Brechin on June 9 last year.
The jury were shown images of the two blood-stained knives, the blades of which measured 8cm and 21cm.
The court heard two identifiable DNA samples were found on each.
Ms Clement said the odds that the blood on the larger knife does not belong to Rizzo is greater than a billion to one.
The other sample was similarly found to match Ms Smith, who Rizzo allegedly stabbed and choked at her flat on Swan Street at around 1am.
Cellular DNA found on the smaller knife also matched the DNA profiles of both.
Last week, the trial heard evidence from the accused’s mother Frances Rizzo, who said he told her he watched two men stab her to death before forcing him to wipe his hands in her blood and hold a knife they used.
On Tuesday, the court also heard Rizzo had injuries to his hand, back, face and leg, according to another forensic scientist.
Dr Shubhakar Paul told Glasgow High Court he assessed the accused on June 9 at Dundee’s Bell Street police station and found he had a total of 16 injuries following his arrest on suspicion of murder.
Of those, two small cuts to his little finger were caused by a “sharp bladed object”, Dr Paul said.
He added scratch marks, including one on his right arm, could have been caused by “anything from a paper pin to a finger nail”.
He also had several horizontal abrasions to his lower back.
The trial also heard there is no CCTV to support an alleged conversation between Ms Smith and her friend Kayleigh Cameron before the alleged victim entered her flat.
The trial had previously heard evidence from Ms Cameron who said her friend told her she would lock her door and keep the key in the lock to ensure Rizzo couldn’t enter.
The conversation, according to the witness, took place outside Ms Smith’s Swan Street property.
She also said afterwards she returned to Hudsons Bar, where Rizzo and Ms Smith had been that night before leaving separately after an argument.
Donald Findlay QC, defending, put it to Police Scotland CCTV coordinator Ian Borthwick that the lack of footage of Ms Cameron outside the flat or walking to or from the property showed either the witness is a “fantasist” or there is “something seriously wrong” with the CCTV.
The witness, who put together a compilation of all relevant footage on the night, agreed.
Rizzo denies murdering her and the trial, before Lady Rae, continues.
