Author Topic: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?  (Read 3106 times)

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Offline Rob_

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #30 on: March 31, 2026, 05:44:PM »
AI

While the highest concentration of GSR is usually found on the shooter’s hands and clothing, the plume of microscopic particles can deposit on anyone in the immediate vicinity, including victims and bystanders.

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You would expect a lot of GSR on Sheila. As she would have fired 25 shots. As Malcolm Fletcher said.

As the victim it would be much less likely she would have GSR. As she only received 2 shots.

Did you tell AI the shooter was using a rifle not a revolver?

Offline Adam

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #31 on: March 31, 2026, 07:21:PM »
Did you tell AI the shooter was using a rifle not a revolver?

AI

A 22 rifle produces a significant amount of Gunshot Residue (GSR), often described as "dirty" due to the type of propellant and lubricant used, but the residue is usually distributed differently—and often in lower amounts on the shooter's hands—compared to a handgun. While .22 caliber bullets often do not contain antimony, they can still produce substantial characteristic GSR particles (lead, barium, antimony) that can be identified by forensic examination.
'Only I know what really happened that night'.

Offline Adam

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #32 on: March 31, 2026, 07:35:PM »
You would expect a significant amount of GSR on Sheila & her nightdress.

The rifle produced a significant amount of GSR & Sheila would have fired it 25 times.

But Malcolm Fletcher testified Sheila's nightdress had none.
'Only I know what really happened that night'.

Offline David1819

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #33 on: March 31, 2026, 08:20:PM »
You would expect a significant amount of GSR on Sheila & her nightdress.

The rifle produced a significant amount of GSR & Sheila would have fired it 25 times.

But Malcolm Fletcher testified Sheila's nightdress had none.

"Mr M.D Fletcher Cross Examined

Q: You postulated Mr. Fletcher, didn't you, that if the wounds were self-inflicted, the wounds to Mrs. Caffell, you would have expected to find traces of oil and firearms discharge on the front of her nightdress?

A: I did qualify that by saying if the wounds were self-inflicted, using a rifle held close to the body.

Q: You obviously worked out the approximate angles of fire, as explored?

A: I had looked at some possible angles of fire yes.
 
Q: You had seen the X-rays.

A: I am sorry I misunderstood. I thought you meant the ways of holding the gun rather than the track of the bullet. I beg your pardon, I see now yes.

Q: I think you have seen the sketches that we have put forward, which are agreed, yes?

A: Yes I have.

Q: Number 1 on the sketch is the contact wound.

A: Yes sir.

Q: With the gun held pointing at that angle would you expect residue on the nightdress.

A: You could certainly position the head and gun so that it would be possible to get residue on the nightdress.

Q: The point is surely Mr. Fletcher that it doesn't make any difference whatsoever whether the wound is self-inflicted or inflicted by anybody else, if the gun is held at a particular angle you might get residue on the nightdress?

A: If held in the correct position certainly. Close to the body at the correct angle for the projection of the bullet in the head.

Q: Why is that correct?

A: To fulfil the requirements for the residue to get on to the nightdress.

Q: It doesn't help us to be certain whether they were self-inflicted or inflicted by another person, does it?

A: It does give a particular set of circumstances. I am trying to tell you what I would expect to find. If some of those circumstances don't occur or were incorrect then my finding, are, as you say, not valid.

Q: Forgive me, I am probably being extremely stupid. Does it help at all? What I am suggesting to you is that it didn't help us at all in deciding whether the wounds were self-inflicted or not self-inflicted. The gun would have had to be in a particular angle to the body in order to deliver the wound in the direction it is in,in either case.

A: Yes.
"



Offline Rob_

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #34 on: March 31, 2026, 10:45:PM »
You would expect a significant amount of GSR on Sheila & her nightdress.

The rifle produced a significant amount of GSR & Sheila would have fired it 25 times.

But Malcolm Fletcher testified Sheila's nightdress had none.

The vast majority of GSR is microscopic invisible to the naked eye and require specialized techniques to detect.

If MF had applied more specialized techniques he would obviously have detected GSR on Sheila.

Offline Adam

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #35 on: April 01, 2026, 01:51:AM »
The vast majority of GSR is microscopic invisible to the naked eye and require specialized techniques to detect.

If MF had applied more specialized techniques he would obviously have detected GSR on Sheila.

AI

In 1985, gunshot residue (GSR) testing was transitioning from older, less specific chemical spot tests to more advanced instrumental analysis techniques. While color-based "wet chemistry" tests were still used in some smaller labs, by 1985, forensic laboratories increasingly relied on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to detect inorganic elements (lead, barium, and antimony) from primer residue.

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I did post this earlier in the thread.

A bit more than just a visual test you suggested in reply 19.

« Last Edit: April 01, 2026, 02:14:AM by Adam »
'Only I know what really happened that night'.

Offline Adam

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #36 on: April 01, 2026, 02:08:AM »
Sheila was not able to function.

There is no evidence on her body, hands, fingers, nails, feet or nightdress that she fired 25 shots, overpowered a man twice as big as her and re loaded twice. In a short time period.

Legally Jeremy is entitled to continue seeking a technicality. CC has been critical of Jeremy & the CT attempts. I am looking at her proposed CCRC application. A decision will be made this week.

'Only I know what really happened that night'.

Offline Rob_

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #37 on: April 01, 2026, 06:12:PM »
AI

In 1985, gunshot residue (GSR) testing was transitioning from older, less specific chemical spot tests to more advanced instrumental analysis techniques. While color-based "wet chemistry" tests were still used in some smaller labs, by 1985, forensic laboratories increasingly relied on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to detect inorganic elements (lead, barium, and antimony) from primer residue.

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I did post this earlier in the thread.

A bit more than just a visual test you suggested in reply 19.


MF obviously never did a more scientific test otherwise he would have found GSR on Sheila.   

Offline Adam

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #38 on: April 02, 2026, 02:51:AM »

MF obviously never did a more scientific test otherwise he would have found GSR on Sheila.

Malcolm Fletcher was a respected forensic scientist. He was asked to investigate in a 5x murder & would have used the most up to date testing methods, which as posted on this thread was substantial.

No GSR was found on Sheila.
« Last Edit: April 02, 2026, 03:45:AM by Adam »
'Only I know what really happened that night'.

Offline Adam

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #39 on: April 02, 2026, 03:51:AM »
Rob's reason for supporting Bamber has always been that he would have left the silencer next to Sheila. Rather than put it away.

Disagree with that but he is entitled to his opinion.

However claiming that Malcolm Fletcher missed GSR on a person who had fired 25 shots is not credible.
'Only I know what really happened that night'.

Offline Rob_

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Re: How does Sheila's nightdress show she was the killer?
« Reply #40 on: April 02, 2026, 08:14:AM »
Malcolm Fletcher was a respected forensic scientist. He was asked to investigate in a 5x murder & would have used the most up to date testing methods, which as posted on this thread was substantial.

No GSR was found on Sheila.

Sheila obviously had GSR on her a scientific test would be pointless. She was shot twice from inches away.