DNA Evidence Slammed At Amanda Knox Appeal

Amanda Knox's appeal over her conviction for Meredith Kercher's murder has heard from two independent experts who criticised DNA evidence in the police inquiry.

The pair, appointed by the court in Perugia, Italy, have condemned the original forensic investigation because of a serious of alleged glaring errors.

British student Kercher , 21, was found semi-naked with her throat slashed in her bedroom of the house she shared with Knox and two Italian women.

Knox , who is serving 26 years for the killing, was brought into court flanked by prison guards.

Although she appeared tired, she managed to smile at her friends and family, and Italian TV footage showed her winking at her co-accused Raffaele Sollecito, 27.

Sollecito , her former boyfriend, was given 25 years for his part in the murder and appeared in court sporting a military style crew cut with razor short hair.

Key to Knox's original conviction was a 30cm kitchen knife found in Sollecito's apartment on which the first trial heard was DNA from Kercher on the blade and that of Knox, 24, on the handle.

However, the independent experts said the amount on the blade was so small it should not have been considered and they could not even test it again as there was not enough DNA left following the first forensic examination.

The police forensic chief who led the investigation Patrizia Stefanoni then gave evidence in court.

Ms Stefanoni insisted all proper procedures were followed and there were no mistakes made by her team who are based in Rome. She is due to be cross-examined by defence lawyers on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Knox's father pledged he was ''here to take her home'' as her appeal entered the final stages.

Curt Knox flew from the United States for the hearing which resumed after a six-week break and which is expected to end later this month - almost four years after Kercher was murdered.

Knox and her family are hopeful the independent experts' report - which is being disputed by prosecutors and lawyers representing the Kercher family will help secure an acquittal and her freedom.

Mr Knox said: ''Those independent experts pointed out some very serious errors in the original investigation and we are very hopeful that she will be acquitted.

''I'm here until hopefully we get to take her home.

''I'm not confident but I'm hopeful, that's the right word. I'm hopeful that we are going to bring her home.

''We really were not surprised by the report because it's something our experts were saying all along. It's unfortunate that during the first trial that review was not allowed but that report gives us hope.

''We told each other we loved each other. There's not much you can do with all the police guards but it was nice to hold her.''

The appeal resumed just hours after a letter from Kercher's sister Stephanie was released which asked for her death ''not to be in vain'' or ''forgotten'.'

Speaking of the letter Mr Knox, from Seattle, said: ''I have read the letter. The Kercher family are continuing to hurt with the loss of their daughter and as a parent there is nothing worse than that.

''I cannot respond to their heartache. That is how they feel but I also have too look at the fact that this is an appeals trial and these experts have come back with a very different opinion."

Final summing up and closing speeches are due to take place later in the week and then judge Claudio Pratillo Hellman will adjourn the hearing until the end of the month when he and the jury will retire to consider their verdict.

Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was in Perugia as part of her Leeds University and had only been in Italy for two months before she was murdered.

A third defendant, small-time drug dealer Rudy Guede, an immigrant from the Ivory Coast, was also jailed in connection with the brutal killing.

He was handed a 30-year sentence for murder and sexual violence following a fast-track trial in October 2008 which was later cut to 16 years.