This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6717189.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Flat search in Vicky murder probe Flat search in Vicky murder probe
(about 2 hours later)
The former home of killer Peter Tobin is due to be searched as part of the police inquiry into the disappearance of Vicky Hamilton 16 years ago. A search of the former home of killer Peter Tobin has begun as part of the police inquiry into the disappearance of Vicky Hamilton 16 years ago.
The 15-year-old was last seen waiting for a bus in Bathgate, West Lothian.The 15-year-old was last seen waiting for a bus in Bathgate, West Lothian.
Tobin, who is serving 21 years for the murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk in Glasgow in 2006, lived in the town at about the time Vicky disappeared.Tobin, who is serving 21 years for the murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk in Glasgow in 2006, lived in the town at about the time Vicky disappeared.
The property's current residents have been moved out while forensic teams carry out the search.The property's current residents have been moved out while forensic teams carry out the search.
Officers plan to use specially trained police dogs that can detect minute traces of blood even if they are decades old. Officers are using specially trained police dogs that can detect minute traces of blood even if they are decades old.
Divers are also searching an area of water in a nearby nature reserve.
Vicky disappeared in 1991 while making a journey from Livingston to her home near Falkirk.Vicky disappeared in 1991 while making a journey from Livingston to her home near Falkirk.
She had changed buses in Bathgate and was last seen standing at a bus stop in the town.She had changed buses in Bathgate and was last seen standing at a bus stop in the town.
Incredibly difficultIncredibly difficult
The case was reopened in November after it emerged that Tobin had lived in a flat in the Falside area of the town.The case was reopened in November after it emerged that Tobin had lived in a flat in the Falside area of the town.
He was jailed for murdering Ms Kluk in September last year and dumping her body underneath St Patrick's Church in Anderston.He was jailed for murdering Ms Kluk in September last year and dumping her body underneath St Patrick's Church in Anderston.
Lothian and Borders Police said it was anticipated that the search operation would continue at the house in Robertson Avenue for at least two weeks.Lothian and Borders Police said it was anticipated that the search operation would continue at the house in Robertson Avenue for at least two weeks.
Peter Tobin was convicted of the murder of Angelika KlukPeter Tobin was convicted of the murder of Angelika Kluk
Dr Adrian Linacre, from the Centre of Forensic Science at Strathclyde University, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the task facing the police was incredibly difficult.Dr Adrian Linacre, from the Centre of Forensic Science at Strathclyde University, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the task facing the police was incredibly difficult.
He said: "Like in all cases such as this you're looking for any evidence that might support an abduction, a fight, a struggle of any description.He said: "Like in all cases such as this you're looking for any evidence that might support an abduction, a fight, a struggle of any description.
"So you're looking for body fluids, hairs that might have been left at the time."So you're looking for body fluids, hairs that might have been left at the time.
"Here we're looking at something that was 16 years ago so that makes it incredibly difficult.""Here we're looking at something that was 16 years ago so that makes it incredibly difficult."
Dr Linacre said more sensitive tests could find fluids like blood at very low levels, but even if any traces were found the relevance would still have to be decided.Dr Linacre said more sensitive tests could find fluids like blood at very low levels, but even if any traces were found the relevance would still have to be decided.