No gunshot residue (GSR) was found on a black cap police believed was worn by the man who shot Damian Trotman in Sheraton Mall over two years ago.
This was revealed by forensics expert Marsha Skeete who said the tests conducted on the cap that was presented to the lab by police in April 2019, came back negative.
She was giving evidence in the No. 3 Supreme Court on Thursday as the murder trial of Hakeem Roberto Stuart continued.
Stuart, 24, of Shelbourne Gap, St Lawrence, Christ Church is accused of murdering Trotman on March 21, 2019.
When questioned by State Counsel Romarioa Straker, Skeete, who is the Head of Chemistry and Senior Forensic Scientist at the Forensic Scientist Center, told the court the cap was analysed for DNA and GSR.
“We decided we would take a sample for DNA analysis and after that sample, we would then process the hat for any gunshot residue. I found that the cap was negative for any nitrite and lead residues.
“When a firearm is discharged, those are the two main residues we would be looking for on clothing in the lab. Because there was no nitrite or lead residue present, I concluded that there was no firearm residue present on the black cap,” Skeete testified.
When asked about the distance GSR normally travels, she said it was possible for firearm residue to be found on clothing if a firearm was discharged an arm’s distance away.
Skeete further explained that if the firearm was discharged outdoors, the wind could blow the residue further.
However, she said if the gun was discharged indoors, it was more likely firearm residue would be found on the victim rather than the shooter because of the forward direction of the bullet.
“When a firearm is discharged, normally any distance greater than three feet the discharge falls off and the test tends to be negative.
“We have found residue on clothing; however, depending on the conditions under which the clothing would have been examined it tends to be different. If the clothing wasn’t washed, if the person that discharged the firearm touched the clothing, or a secondary or primary contact, traces would be found on the clothing,” Skeete said.
The forensic expert said it was also possible to locate firearm residue on the shooter’s skin or hands if they hadn’t been washed or touched other surfaces within about three hours.
Skeete added that GSR could easily be removed from skin.
She said sweaty hands and any change of clothing would also impact GSR tests.
Under cross-examination by Stuart’s attorney, King’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, Skeete said she did not receive any swabs from anyone’s hands or swabs of any phone.
She also said she did not deal with the DNA aspect as another forensic scientist was responsible for that.
Also taking the stand was Acting Sergeant Veronica Campbell.
Campbell, who is attached to the Major Crimes Unit, told the court she took the black cap to the Forensic Sciences Centre on April 7, 2019.
She said the black Reebok cap was found in the back seat of a red Mazda 3 car owned by Aziza Clarke on March 21, 2019.
Campbell said on that date, she along with other officers went to Agave Drive, Graeme Hall, Christ Church where the car was located.
She said the car was taken to the Oistins Police Station and locked.
Campbell said she returned to Oistins Police Station on March 24, 2019. She said the items were still in the back of the car and they were subsequently photographed.
She said Clarke was asked if the cap belonged to her but she denied any knowledge of it.
