Forensic evidence on Neville:

[Adam]

The forensic evidence on Neville can be quite revealing.

Below is a description from the 2002 COA -

41:

Nevill Bamber, who was wearing his pyjamas had been shot eight times. There were two wounds to the right side and two to the top of the head. If not immediately fatal, the combined effect of these four injuries would have been immediate unconsciousness and incapacitation. There was a wound to the left side of the lip and another to the left part of the lower jaw. This injury caused severe fracturing of the jaw, of the teeth in that area and damaged soft tissue in the neck and the larynx. These features of this particular injury and the resultant flow of blood into the mouth meant, in the pathologist's opinion, that Nevill Bamber would not have been able to engage in purposeful talk. There were also gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and a grazing wound above the left elbow.

42.

The examination of Nevill Bamber's body also revealed black eyes and a broken nose, linear bruising to the cheeks, lacerations to the head, linear type bruising to the right forearm, bruising to the left wrist and forearm and three circular burn type marks to the back. The linear marks were consistent with Mr Bamber having been struck with a long blunt object, possibly a gun.


The first thing to notice is Neville was bare footed in his pyjamas ( similar to Sheila). This strongly suggests he had gone to bed and had not been out of bed very long. As he would surely be wearing a dressing gown and slippers if he had been up for hours or not gone to bed at all.

The gun shots had all been very accurate. All but two hitting Neville in or around the face. Neville was a moving target. This strongly suggests the shooter was used to handling a gun.

The gun shots upstairs meant Neville was not able to engage in purposeful talk. This means Neville must have phoned Bamber before receiving any shots.

The other injuries Neville received (42) were horrific. Sheila could not have done this while Neville was still alive and fighting back. She had no damage on her or her nightie. So could only have done it after Neville was dead. Which is a warped idea. But even then evidence of this would be on her.

The injuries to Neville were so horrific that it is not certain Sheila would have the power to commit these injuries to Neville. Even on a dead Neville. And she would not have had the time before the police arrive. Besides which Sheila and Neville had a good relationship.

It is much more likely that Bamber committed the injuries in (42) while hyped up and fighting a very much alive Neville. Giving him a brutal beating, which at the time he had no choice but to do, and then shooting him again. Bamber being padded up and avoiding injuries. And able to dispose of clothes if necessary.

Generally the forensic evidence highlights that Neville had got out of bed and did not put slippers or a dressing gown on. The gun shot accuracy and severe beating of Neville shows Bamber was the killer rather than Sheila.

[Caroline]

The forensic evidence on Neville can be quite revealing.

Below is a description from the 2002 COA -

41:

Nevill Bamber, who was wearing his pyjamas had been shot eight times. There were two wounds to the right side and two to the top of the head. If not immediately fatal, the combined effect of these four injuries would have been immediate unconsciousness and incapacitation. There was a wound to the left side of the lip and another to the left part of the lower jaw. This injury caused severe fracturing of the jaw, of the teeth in that area and damaged soft tissue in the neck and the larynx. These features of this particular injury and the resultant flow of blood into the mouth meant, in the pathologist's opinion, that Nevill Bamber would not have been able to engage in purposeful talk. There were also gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and a grazing wound above the left elbow.

42.

The examination of Nevill Bamber's body also revealed black eyes and a broken nose, linear bruising to the cheeks, lacerations to the head, linear type bruising to the right forearm, bruising to the left wrist and forearm and three circular burn type marks to the back. The linear marks were consistent with Mr Bamber having been struck with a long blunt object, possibly a gun.


The first thing to notice is Neville was bare footed in his pyjamas ( similar to Sheila). This strongly suggests he had gone to bed and had not been out of bed very long. As he would surely be wearing a dressing gown and slippers if he had been up for hours or not gone to bed at all.

The gun shots had all been very accurate. All but two hitting Neville in or around the face. Neville was a moving target. This strongly suggests the shooter was used to handling a gun.

The gun shots upstairs meant Neville was not able to engage in purposeful talk. This means Neville must have phoned Bamber before receiving any shots.

The other injuries Neville received (42) were horrific. Sheila could not have done this while Neville was still alive and fighting back. She had no damage on her or her nightie. So could only have done it after Neville was dead. Which is a warped idea. But even then evidence of this would be on her.

The injuries to Neville were so horrific that it is not certain Sheila would have the power to commit these injuries to Neville. Even on a dead Neville. And she would not have had the time before the police arrive. Besides which Sheila and Neville had a good relationship.

It is much more likely that Bamber committed the injuries in (42) while hyped up and fighting a very much alive Neville. Giving him a brutal beating, which at the time he had no choice but to do, and then shooting him again. Bamber being padded up and avoiding injuries. And able to dispose of clothes if necessary.

Generally the forensic evidence highlights that Neville had got out of bed and did not put slippers or a dressing gown on. The gun shot accuracy and severe beating of Neville shows Bamber was the killer rather than Sheila.

Anyone seeing the state of Nevill and the lack of spatter on Sheila has to question the notion of Sheila being responsible. She didn't have any of Nevill's blood on her nightdress and would have done if she had bludgeoned him with the rifle.

[David1819]

Anyone seeing the state of Nevill and the lack of spatter on Sheila has to question the notion of Sheila being responsible. She didn't have any of Nevill's blood on her nightdress and would have done if she had bludgeoned him with the rifle.

The rifle does not have anywhere near enough blood on it to be consistent with bludgeoning Neville to the head. Unless one wants to argue that police wiped it down and forgetting to take crime scene photos first. The most likely explanation for the rifle stock breaking is there was an attempt to hit Neville will it but missed then hit a hard surface then broke. 

[Adam]

42.

The examination of Nevill Bamber's body also revealed black eyes and a broken nose, linear bruising to the cheeks, lacerations to the head, linear type bruising to the right forearm, bruising to the left wrist and forearm and three circular burn type marks to the back. The linear marks were consistent with Mr Bamber having been struck with a long blunt object, possibly a gun.

How long would it take Sheila to do this ? Whether Neville was alive or dead ? Several minutes I suspect. The police arrived only a few minutes after Bamber's call. As the judge said in his summing up, Sheila would not have time to do everything in such a short period.

[Adam]

Everything does suggest that -

Neville was in bed in his pyjamas and bare footed.

The killer and experienced shooter started shooting Neville in and around the face while Neville was moving by the bed.

Neville retreated downstairs and  put up what the judge called a 'ferocious fight for life'. The killer had no option but to use all his power and force to negate Neville's threat. This could only be done by giving Neville a horrific beating.

The killer then fired more shots into Neville. Which were fatal.

The killer them prodded Neville's back with something scorching hot. To make sure he was dead.

The killer could only be Bamber.

[Adam]

60. Found in or just outside the bedroom were thirteen cartridge cases. Seven would account for the shots into June Bamber, two for the wounds suffered by Sheila Caffell, leaving four cartridge cases that had been fired at Nevill Bamber. Three further cartridge cases were found in the kitchen, with a further case on the stairs leading up from the kitchen. If one accepts that the four shots to the head which would have immobilised and killed Nevill Bamber were fired in the kitchen where his body was recovered, it would follow that he had received the less serious injuries upstairs in the bedroom and was then able to make his way downstairs where he was subsequently killed.

The 2002 appeal is confirming Neville was shot in the main bedroom.

[Adam]

64. In respect of the eight shots into Nevill Bamber's body, the six to his head and face were fired when the rifle was within a few inches of the skin. The remaining injuries to the arm were caused when the gun was at least two feet from the body.

The only way the shooter could get within a few inches of the skin, for the upstairs shots, is if Neville was not expecting the shots. An awake Neville would struggle with Sheila upstairs if she got that close to him with the rifle.

[Adam]

70:

The stock was damaged, with a piece of wood missing. The broken piece of wood found on the floor in the kitchen was the missing part of the stock.

This is confirmation that the rifle had been used to repeatedly strike Neville.

[Caroline]

The rifle does not have anywhere near enough blood on it to be consistent with bludgeoning Neville to the head. Unless one wants to argue that police wiped it down and forgetting to take crime scene photos first. The most likely explanation for the rifle stock breaking is there was an attempt to hit Neville will it but missed then hit a hard surface then broke.

Again, you need to see the CS pictures of Nevill, he was beaten with the rifle and as Adam has just said, the broken stock is also proof of this.

[Adam]

71.

The rifle bore blood smearing on the barrel in the region of the fore-sight and around the mechanism and there were splashes of blood to the left side of the weapon. The appearance of the blood staining was consistent with it having been used to strike somebody who was already bleeding. On analysis the blood was found to be human blood but tests to determine grouping were unsuccessful. A "pull-through" on the barrel of the rifle was conducted for any traces of blood within the weapon. There were none.

[Caroline]

The rifle does not have anywhere near enough blood on it to be consistent with bludgeoning Neville to the head. Unless one wants to argue that police wiped it down and forgetting to take crime scene photos first. The most likely explanation for the rifle stock breaking is there was an attempt to hit Neville will it but missed then hit a hard surface then broke.

You can see blood on the rifle stock and where the piece broke off in the pictures below. If the rifle was used after killing Nevill, some of it would have transferred to the killers clothes and hands/gloves. This is further proof that Sheila wasn't responsible.

(For Lookout - Can see now where the piece broke off the rifle (circled in black) and the piece that broke off?)

[David1819]

You can see blood on the rifle stock and where the piece broke off in the pictures below. If the rifle was used after killing Nevill, some of it would have transferred to the killers clothes and hands/gloves. This is further proof that Sheila wasn't responsible.

(For Lookout - Can see now where the piece broke off the rifle (circled in black) and the piece that broke off?)

That's not the part that broke off Caroline. If you look at the picture below I put a red arrow that shows where the part had fallen off, As the blue arrow shows its part of the design of the gun not damage. I am also not convinced that piece of wood by the Aga is the missing part of the gun.

[guest7363]

Fletcher said in his statement the wooden shoulder stock was broken and a piece missing?  Where is the shoulder stock area?  Or is he saying the grip area?

[lookout]

No, as David pointed out,that which is circled is the shape of the rifle. I too am not convinced of that item on the carpet being part of the rifle. It's a different colour and reminds me of one of those gas-stove lighters which you squeeze to activate the flint.

[guest7363]

No, as David pointed out,that which is circled is the shape of the rifle. I too am not convinced of that item on the carpet being part of the rifle. It's a different colour and reminds me of one of those gas-stove lighters which you squeeze to activate the flint.

So what your saying they got something wood mixed up with a gas lighter?  The colour would not be the same if it was the inside or un varnished area?  The stock was damaged, with a piece of wood missing. The broken piece of wood found on the floor in the kitchen was the missing part of the stock.