The violent murder of schoolgirl Billie-Jo Jenkins in 1997 may finally be solved through DNA and blood tests.
Billie-Jo was 13 when she was hit over the head with an 18-inch iron tent peg as she painted some patio doors in Hastings, East Sussex.
Her foster dad, Sion Jenkins, who is now 63, was in jail for six years until his sentence was quashed through an appeal.
In 2006 Jenkins was formally acquitted after two inconclusive retrials, but he never got compensation because his innocence couldn't be proved.
Police are now doing a forensic review of exhibits found at the scene back in 1997.
Initially, the case had been built around 148 "invisible" blood spots found on Jenkins' clothes.
It was argued by the prosecution that these spots were consistent with "impact spatter".
But Jenkins' defence team argued the spots had come from the fine spray on Billie-Jo's breath after he found her dying.
Police have confirmed that detectives won't be reinvestigating and there's no new information.
But the review will look at the blood spots and whether they contain bone fragments.
There will also be DNA tests from tapings with the aim of matching them to possible suspects.
Police said: “We are carrying out a forensic review of material to establish whether or not scientific advances can provide new lines of inquiry.”
Lois, the wife of ex-deputy head Jenkins, alleged that he had been violent towards her and their four daughters.
Jenkins, who remarried, kept demanding that the police reinvestigate Billie-Jo's murder.
He further accused them of lacking the courage to face mistakes.
On his Justice for Sion Jenkins website, it reads: “Billie-Jo’s story can’t have a happy ending, but it should have a truthful one."
