Tiny traces of oil left on the stump of the Sycamore Hole tree could lead on police to determine the one that chopped it down, it has emerged.
Forensic scientists are trying to find traces from the chainsaw’s oiler, which lubricates the chain of the noticed to maintain it from overheating and seizing up. In keeping with these conversant in the case, a particular oil combination would possibly lead officers to the noticed.
The 70ft Sycamore Hole tree in Northumberland, believed to have been about 300 years outdated, was reduce down in a single day on 27 September, in what detectives described as a “deliberate act of vandalism”.
The Nationwide Belief, which manages the land the place the tree stood, mentioned it was “shocked and saddened” to be taught of the information.
Now, as Northumbria Police proceed their seek for proof to catch the wrongdoer, forensic scientists declare traces of the chainsaw oil may assist officers within the case.
Dr Angela Gallop, one in every of Britain’s most skilled forensic scientists, instructed The Instances: “Any oil smeared onto the stump from the chainsaw may very well be helpful in offering a hyperlink with a selected noticed.
“When topping up equipment with several types of oils, you would possibly add one kind of oil with one other kind of oil with barely totally different chemical elements, and construct up a chemical ‘fingerprint’.”
One other skilled mentioned: “It’s not unusual for farmers to save lots of themselves £20 by utilizing engine oil to lubricate the chain. Or they may have used one of many common makes like Husqvarna or Stihl. Or maybe a mix of each is perhaps discovered, giving a singular forensic make-up.”
Forensic investigators inspecting the felled Sycamore Hole tree
(PA)
The hope of a breakthrough comes after police arrested a 69-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy in reference to the incident. Each have been launched on bail.
The felling of the Sycamore Hole tree brought about widespread upset throughout the nation, together with distraught celebrities and politicians who expressed their outrage.
The Nationwide Belief is now assembly with its stakeholders to resolve whether or not to attempt to save or substitute the enduring tree.
“It’s clear this tree was particular to many, many individuals,” a spokesperson instructed The Impartial. “Within the rapid time period, our precedence has been to make sure the protection of the positioning, and the tree, and to assist employees and the area people coming to phrases with the information.
“We’re starting discussions with stakeholders about the way forward for the positioning, which is a Unesco World Heritage Web site, and might be working with Northumberland Nationwide Park and native individuals to resolve one of the simplest ways ahead. We are going to inform individuals as quickly as we all know.”
