David Bain trial: Bloody items found in bathroom, laundry

David Bain in Christchurch High Court. Pool photo

Bloodstained items from the Bain family's bathroom and laundry were produced in the High Court, Christchurch, today during the retrial of David Bain.

Bain is accused of murdering his parents and three siblings in their Dunedin home on June 20, 1994.

The bloodied items found by police as they investigated the grisly shooting deaths of the Bains, and the question of where bone fragments were discovered highlighted the 12th day of the case.

Detective Mark Lodge, an officer who helped in the bathroom-laundry scene investigation, told the court about finding blood traces on a handbasin, on a door, a towel.

He also described discovering a facemask, shower curtain, and shower cap, all with blood on them, on a shelf.

There was also a partial bloody hand print on the washing machine.

The precise location of bone fragments from Robin Bain, David's father, was subject to detailed cross-examination.

Defence lawyer Helen Cull QC noted a discrepancy in police records of where the bone fragments were found.

She took retired detective Kevin Anderson through his notebook entries about the exhibits he picked up in the room where Mr Bain's body was found.

The notebook showed the exhibits were in the same order as the crown's exhibits register - except for the bone fragments.

Detective Trevor Thomson wrote in the register that the fragments were found in the alcove under the computer, but Mr Anderson was adamant today they were found by the rifle alongside the body.

"The only bone fragments were found by the rifle - that's it."

The case, presided over by Justice Graham Panckhurst, continues.

- NZPA