Blood found on washing machine, Bain trial told

David Bain arrives at court for his trial. Photo / Pool

A forensic scientist lifted blood and fibres from the washing machine at the home of David Bain after five of his family were found dead, a court has heard.

Detective Mark Lodge told the High Court in Christchurch today that ESR scientist Peter Hentschel two took fibres and a sample of blood off the top of the washing machine, with the lid removed, before handing them to the police as evidence.

Mr Lodge said a partial bloody handprint was found on the top of the machine, while blood was also found on the side of the machine, a washing powder container, a towel and in an empty kleensac in the bathroom/laundry area of the Bain family's Dunedin home. A white t-shirt with blood on the right upper arm was also found in the laundry.

Evidence from the washing machine is considered important because the Crown prosecutors say David Bain, now 36, washed his bloodied clothing after shooting dead his parents and three siblings on the morning of June 20, 1994.

Bain's defence team argue it was David's father Robin who killed his family before turning the .22 rifle on himself.

Tests were carried out by police to see how long a wash would take in the machine using about the same amount of washing as had been done last.

David Preston, who owned a washing machine repair business, told the court he had rebuilt the Bains' washing machine about two years prior to the deaths at the request of Robin Bain. Mr Preston said he suggested Mr Bain buy a new machine, but he wanted his existing machine fixed, despite the cost of pair being almost as much as a new machine.

"I have had several clients over the years that got quite passionate about their machines. And I assumed that was the case with Mr Bain."