Scientists say there is a ''good chance'' that DNA evidence on Melanie Hall's body will lead to her killer.

Forensic anthropologist Lucina Hackman, from the University of Dundee, said her remains could reveal how, when and even where she was killed.

Modern techniques can even determine what she was eating and drinking in the days before her death.

Miss Hackman said: "The pathologists will now be examining the bones to establish a cause of death from any marks or fracture patterning.

"They can obviously tell the difference between the damage caused by a blunt object and a knife, and in some cases even the type of object used.

"They may also ask themselves whether she may have been held after she went missing but before she died.

"It is possible that hair or nail samples are still there and from these they can tell what she was eating or drinking in the days leading up to her death.

"They can also flush through the nasal passage of a skull to see if there is pollen in the nasal cavity.

"From these results the time of year that she took her last breath and perhaps even where that was taken can be discovered."

Despite the decomposition of the body, officers may still be able to retrieve a DNA sample which could identify the killer.

Miss Hackman said: "In terms of DNA it may be difficult to take a good sample because of contamination and degradation issues over the last 13 years.

"But they can analyse her jewellery and any remaining clothing fibres and only a very small amount of DNA is needed to achieve a profile.

"If they do get a successful profile there is certainly a good chance that the killer can be found as that can be checked against the police databases."