Amanda Knox appeal resumes; police give a defense of their DNA methods

The appeal of a murder conviction by Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend resumed today in Italy.

Italian police who investigated the case gave a defense of their forensic expertise, ABC News reports.

A panel of experts had accused the police of using badly flawed methods. Experts had criticized the police's method of collecting DNA evidence and subsequently condemned the original investigation, Sky News reports.

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Knox and her former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were convicted of murdering British student Meredith Kercher. Kercher was found dead in the apartment she shared with Knox and other roommates in Perugia, Italy, in 2007. Kercher, who was 21, was found semi-naked with her throat slashed.

In December 2009, after a trial that captured headlines around the world, Knox was convicted and sentenced to 26 years and Sollecito was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Knox and Sollecito have always insisted they are innocent and pressed forward with an appeal of the conviction.

The DNA dispute involves a kitchen knife that was found in Sollecito's apartment during the initial investigation. During the first trial, the case was made that the knife had DNA from Kercher on the blade and that of Knox on the handle, Sky News states. The forensic experts at the appeal, though, argued that the amount of DNA on the blade was too small to have been considered.

At the appeal, the police forensic chief insisted all proper procedures were followed.

The chief, Patrizia Stefanoni, will be cross-examined by defense lawyers Tuesday.

A verdict in the appeal is expected in about two weeks, CNN reports.