None of the three balaclavas and two boiler suits examined after a shootout near a bank in 1996 had gunshot residue indicating those wearing them had used a firearm, forensic expert Anthony Abela Medici testified yesterday.

He said residue found on the boiler suit worn by convict Joseph Polidano was so little it was most probably the result of him having touched his gunshot injury.

Dr Abela Medici said the suit used by another person convicted for his involvement in the crime, Carmelo Spiteri, also had traces of gunshot residue because even he had been hit by a bullet.

He explained that even if someone stood up to a metre from where a gun is fired they would still carry residue. However, if a person fired a shot into the air from a car, no residue would be found on the clothes or the balaclava.

Dr Abela Medici was testifying during the trial by jury of George Xuereb, 49, of Marsa, known as it-Tiġieġu, who is accused of having been one of the robbers who attempted a hold-up on the Swieqi Mid-Med Bank branch in March 1996. It was foiled by the police.

If shot fired in the air from a car, there would be no gunshot residue on clothing

Mr Polidano was one of the robbers injured in a shootout with the police. He was later arrested and jailed for 10 years, as was Mr Spiteri.

The foiled robbery took place at about 10.30am when a number of armed and hooded people entered the bank, now an HSBC branch, with the intention of stealing about €233,000. By chance, a police mobile squad car stopped at a nearby petrol station because of a flat tyre. One of the officers realised something was wrong at the bank.

The robbers saw the police and tried to escape and the two sides exchanged fire. The robbers still managed to drive off in a van, which they had parked in front of the bank.

The police started investigating Mr Xuereb after his fingerprint allegedly matched those lifted from a plastic bag found inside the van.

Various scene of crime officers yesterday exhibited hundreds of photographs and explained what had happened and what evidence they had lifted and/or photographed.

The trial continues this morning when, Mr Spiteri is expected to testify. Lawyers Kevin Valletta and Lara Lanfranco appeared for the office of the Attorney General.

Lawyer Raphael Fenech Adami appeared for Mr Xuereb.