[DManA]

In defense of the scientists, the Vatican did not allow them to take a representative sample of the shroud.

[RC2]

What difference does it make? Do we really need to spend good money on this. If people believe it’s real, fine. If they don’t fine.

[aruanan]

In defense of the scientists, the Vatican did not allow them to take a representative sample of the shroud.

Yes and no. If no one had the definite knowledge at the time that the portion taken included repairs that added material of a much later origin, then there was no reason to say it wasn't believed to be representative. The only truly representative sample would be one in which the entire shroud is ground up, thoroughly mixed, and a small sample taken.