Ms Angiolini, who has supported a change in the law to allow the Crown to appeal certain criminal cases if they are thrown out of court, said DNA evidence providing a partial match to Sinclair found on items of underwear worn by Christine Eadie and Helen Scott, which were used as ligatures or bindings by the killer, was not presented to court.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Scotland | Edinburgh, East and Fife | Judge in second opinion case hint

The Crown is now set to ask the Appeal Court to set aside Sinclair's acquittal.

BBC: Crown in Angus Sinclair World's End retrial move

Prosecuting lawyer Peter Magill asked for the charges against Stephen Ferris to be "left on the books, not to be proceeded with without the leave of the Crown Court or the Court of Appeal, " an application granted by Judge Tom Burgess.

BBC: Stephen Ferris (Pacemaker pics)