You're welcome, Jackie. I think there is more to come yet.
There is indeed. I have now received a reply from CAL in respect to PC Bird and his experience as a scenes of crime photographer. The Bamber case was indeed only the second major incident he had attended after having taken the Scenes of Crime course when he joined Chelmsford. I have sent the proof of contact to NGB but have copied her response below,
"Dave Bird; he joined the police in 1976 (Canvey Island) but it wasn’t until he joined the Chelmsford lot that he decided to specialise in crime scene photography and took the required course. Bamber was his second major assignment in that capacity".