Clydach Murders: Key forensic evidence found on sock during review

A police review of the Clydach murders has led to 'significant findings' as a result of analysing key forensic evidence.

David Morris was found guilty of the murders of Mandy Power, her two daughters Katie and Emily and her mother Doris Dawson in Clydach in 1999.

A scientific link between Morris and a sock, widely accepted as being used by the offender during the killings, has now been found.

Scientific examination of the sock, has identified the presence of a mixed Y-STR profile using technology which would not have been available more than 20-years-ago.

While the presence of a link to Morris and the profile has been identified, the science cannot determine how or when this profile was transferred onto the exhibit.

However, the conclusion of scientists is that it is “more likely” that Morris contributed to the DNA found on the blood-stained sock than he did not.

In 2002, David Morris was convicted of the murders by a unanimous verdict at Swansea Crown Court.

His conviction was overturned on appeal due to a conflict of interest by a defence solicitor.

A retrial was held at Newport Crown Court in 2006 and Morris was convicted again.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

In November 2020, legal representatives of Morris contacted South Wales Police requesting the release of various exhibits from the investigation.

The force decided on a course of action, which involved the appointment of an independent forensic laboratory to oversee a forensic review of the case material.

Following the death of David Morris on 20th August 2021, permission was given by his family to obtain a blood sample to allow forensic examinations to take place.

Detective Steve Carey said, “This is significant as the sock was recovered from the murder scene and it was widely accepted that it was used by the killer.

“The outcome of the forensic assessment and completion of further actions have not established any information that undermines the conviction of Morris.

In my view, as the independent senior investigating officer, the new findings from the samples taken from the sock support the existing evidence that originally convicted him."