hand from the investigation into his April 1994 death. Bryan R Burnett, et al. International Journal of Forensic Sciences

Larson suggested that a possible implication was Cobain's hand was placed on the gun after he was shot, prompting Barnes to allegedly respond,  So that's the explanation - the hand is placed after the blood-spatter event. 

When the group discussed its concerns over how quickly Cobain's death had been ruled a suicide, Barnes reportedly told them,  A determination happens after an investigation.

 Although I wasn't here at the time, as a trained investigator, we investigate every death as if it's a homicide, and then we make a determination,  he allegedly said.

5 A police officer stands guard on the back porch of Cobain's garage where his body was found, April 8, 1994, in Seattle, Wash. AFP via Getty Images

In January, the SPD announced it would not reopen its investigation into Cobain's death, standing by the outcome of a 2014 cold-case review which also ruled there had been no foul play.

Barnes resigned as SPD chief in July after he was slammed for his handling of a mass shooting at a food festival at the Seattle Center which left two victims and one of the perpetrators dead.

The OPA began its investigation into the Cobain case after receiving a complaint June 28 from a follower of the work of  Who Killed Kurt? 

Wilkins recently told The Post that she hopes that the the watchdog's probe will establish what the SPD did after receiving the researchers' new forensic analysis.

 We provided SPD with new evidence that could and should have been subjected to testing,  Wilkins also told the OPA in an email Oct. 5.

 From what we currently know - and we do not know everything SPD did or did not do internally following the meeting - it appears that testing or further investigation did not occur.

 If that is the case, Mr. Larson's position is that it represents a dereliction of the duty owed to the public.

 Our position is not that we conclusively proved homicide during that meeting. It is that the issues we presented demand a thorough and fresh look. 

5 Cobain appears in New York in 1993. WireImage

Cobain's widow Courtney Love had demanded that the entire police file on his death be handed over to her in 1995, with no copies left at the Seattle Police Department.

Love, who believes her husband committed suicide, argued that ghouls had tried to make money off the files. The department rebuffed her request.

Bev Ireland - researcher and media liaison for  Who Killed Kurt?  - said it is  encouraging  that OPA is looking into new matter involving Barnes.

 The multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed report presented to former Seattle Police Chief, Shon Barnes, during Michelle's meeting with him on November 4, represented extensive new research, scientific and forensic analysis and independent ballistics testing,  she said.

 Work of this nature deserves careful scrutiny and a considered response, not perfunctory dismissal. 

Neither Barnes nor OPA or the SPD responded to Post requests for comment.