The brattås case: DNA evidence and criticism of the investigation before the verdict

On Wednesday 9 September, the verdict in the Brattås case will be handed down. Two dna traces that connect the man suspected of double murder to one of the murder victims are the trump cards for police and prosecutors.

Nevertheless, the conditions for police forensics at crime scenes were completely different in 2005 when the Brattås murders took place compared to today.

- This was a different time. We didn't have access to mouth guards at that time. We also did not have access to disposable overalls. We had nitrile gloves and shoe covers, said the former forensic technician who was the case manager in the Brattås investigation initially when he was heard in court.

"Change gloves often"

And:

- I myself was strongly allergic to pollen during this time period and had to clean myself very often, I remember that. And I therefore had to change gloves very, very often, he continued during his presentation.

Precisely this may have been the reason why the crime report's DNA was found on three different items that were seized in the Brattå investigation; Gärd Viklund's handbag, her one shoe and a wristwatch. Something that, of course, is not optimal in a double murder investigation.

"Should never have been charged"

Nevertheless, this is not what the defendant's defender, lawyer Johan Lavås, focuses on in his criticism of the preliminary investigation. He not only criticizes the investigation - he also believes that his client should never have been brought to justice, given the evidence available. It does not tie the accused man to the murders, the defense believes.

The accused man says that he moved Gärd Viklund's body since he ended up at the crime scene by chance after the double murder, but has always denied having carried out the murders.

Hear parts of Johan Lavå's closing speech during the trial in the clip above.

In the clip below, he gives an example of how he believes the police investigation has been mismanaged over the years.