The man who killed a Christchurch school girl, and set her house on fire has had his appeal rejected.

Jeremy McLaughlin was sentenced to life in prison, with a 23-year-non-parole period, for strangling Jade Bayliss in November 2011.

He challenged the conviction to the Court of Appeal in June, claiming DNA evidence was improperly used, and the Judge gave unfair warnings to the jury.

The Court of Appeal ruled today the evidence was fairly used, and any mistakes the Judge made didn't result in a miscarriage of justice because the overall case against him was overwhelming.

McLaughlin had previously served 12 years in prison for the manslaughter of a 14-year-old Australian boy, after a violent attack in the mid nineties.