Three crime-scene DNA samples have been linked to the man accused of killing and sexually assaulting a retired hairdresser 28 years ago in Petrolia, Ont.

The evidence came from OPP identification officer Darren Soucie, the only witness to testify during the jury trial Wednesday.

The 44-year-old accused is charged with the first-degree murder and sexual assault of Velma Thomson in October, 1983, but cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because he was 15 years old at the time of the slaying.

Samples from Thomson’s pubic hair, along with semen and hairs found on her slipper, were compared to DNA from a blood sample taken after the man was arrested in June 2008.

It's highly probable DNA from the semen found on the pubic hair belongs to the accused, according to a report form the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto, where the DNA analysis was done.

The probability that another unrelated person could have been the DNA donor was set at one in 1.5 quadrillion (1,500,000,000,000,000).

The OPP identification officer presenting the report only submitted the samples and there will be further evidence regarding DNA testing, said Toronto defence lawyer John Norris.

Norris raised no objections during the officer’s testimony, but said the defence’s silence should not be taken as any kind of admission.

Last week jurors heard DNA from chewing gum in the accused man’s garbage was not from the same source as crime scene DNA. That testing compared DNA from the gum and a vagina swab from Thomson.

A re-examination of crime scene exhibits in 2008 found hairs on Thomson’s slipper that had been found adjacent to her body in October 1983.

In 2010 the slipper was sent to the forensic centre to be tested for bodily fluids and DNA analysis.

That testing showed it was highly probable semen DNA on the hairs belonged to the suspect.

The likelihood of another unrelated person being the donor of that DNA was set at one in 51 billion.

Soucie’s testimony about prior exhibit-handling, including the accused man’s blood sample, consumed most of Wednesday’s trial time.

Defence cross-examination, regarding the exhibit-handling, is expected Thursday. The doctor who did the post-mortem examination is also expected to testify.

Thomson had turned 70 a few days before her body was found by a neighbour in the converted garage of her home that had served as a hairdressing salon.

Her throat had been cut and she had an apparent stab wound in her back.

nbowen@theobserver.ca

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DNA links accused to 1983 murder scene