The killing of Robert Wilkin in Sliabh Liag has appeared as a case study in the latest annual report of Forensic Science Ireland.
The fatal assault happened in July 2023, and the evidence examined by the FSI was used in the trial.
The body recovered from the sea has been identified as Robert Wilkin through fingerprint comparison and DNA familial testing carried out by FSI.
His death was deemed suspicious, with investigators believing he had been assaulted inside a vehicle before arriving at the cliff location.
FSI says it supported the investigation through extensive laboratory examinations, including analysis of an interior roof covering, part of a car seat from a suspect vehicle and a rock recovered from the cliff edge.
The examinations included bloodstain pattern analysis, hair examination and DNA profiling.
Extensive bloodstaining was found on the roof covering and car seat section, with DNA profiles matching Robert Wilkin. The rock was also heavily bloodstained and contained human hairs, with DNA from both the blood and hairs matching Mr Wilkin.
The case went to trial in January 2025, where Alan Vial and Nikita Burns pleaded not guilty.
Following a two-month trial, during which several FSI scientists gave evidence, the jury returned majority guilty verdicts. Both were subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
The full report is available HERE.
