DNA matching that of a man accused of murdering an elderly woman in her own home was found on the handle of a pair of bloodstained scissors left in the property, a court has heard.
Forensic biologist Kirstie McTurk told the High Court in Glasgow that she had examined the scissors which were in the hallway of Eleanor Whitelaw's Morningside home.
She said that the blood on the scissors belonged to Mrs Whitelaw and she had found DNA that matched that of Robert Buczek on the handle.
Mr Buczek, 24, denies murdering Mrs Whitelaw, 84, by striking her with scissors and inflicting blunt force trauma on her head and body at 30 Morningside Grove, Edinburgh, on July 11, 2014.
Ms McTurk said: "The scientific conclusions are consistent with the scissors having been used to injury Eleanor Whitelaw and cellular material from Rober Buczek being present on the handle of the scissors."
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC said: "Would your findings support a suggestion that Mr Buczek held the scissors by the handle and used them to assault Eleanor Whitelaw?"
Miss McTurk replied: "That would be once explanation, yes."
The jury heard that a Volvic water bottle found in the hallway of the house was also examined for DNA and DNA matching that of Buczek was found.
When asked for her conclusions in regard to this Miss McTurk replied: "Cellular material from Robert Buczek was present on the cap of the bottle."
She agreed with defence QC Brian McConnachie that it is not necessary to be in a house for one's DNA to be found there.
Mr McConnachie said: "It would be a mistake to think because your DNA is found on something moveable that you have ever been in the property. You might have, but you might not have." Miss McTurk replied: "That's correct."
Earlier, forensic scientist Colum McCarthy told the trial that a trainer seized from Mr Buczek's home in Edinburgh could match a bloody footmark found in the bathroom of Mrs Whitelaw's house.
Colum McCarthy was asked by advocate depute Alex Prentice QC if he had examined a photograph of a partial footmark found in the upstairs bathroom and he replied: "Yes."
The High Court in Glasgow also heard that Mr McCarthy had examined a pair of blue Nike air max trainers with orange soles taken by police from Buczek's home on July 28, last year.
Mr McCarthy was asked what his findings were and replied: "It was similar in terms of the pattern on the heel of the left training shoe.
"The left training shoe could have been responsible for the mark."
He added: "Another shoe of similar pattern could also have been responsible."
Mr Prentice added: "There will be many pairs of Nike running shoes." Mr McCarthy replied: "Yes."
The prosecutor then added: "But at least one candidate is that left training shoe." Mr McCarthy said: "That's correct."
Under cross-examination by Mr McConnachie, Mr McCarthy admitted that millions of Nike trainers were manufactured each year.
Mr McConnachie then asked: "You don't know how many shoes have that pattern, do you?" The forensic scientist replied: "No."
The court has heard that Mrs Whitelaw's husband Robert, 88, returned home from shopping and found his wife of 60 years lying on the floor covered in blood.
She died in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on July 28, 2014.
Earlier Polish builder Miroslaw Kapka, 46, told the court that he and his workmen - which included Mr Buczek - were working in a property round the corner from Morningside Grove in July.
He said Mr Buczek, who was a labourer, finished up on July 10, 2014, but said he came back on Friday 11 to collect his work clothes which he had left behind.
The trial before judge Lord Matthews continues.
The trial before judge Lord Matthews continues.
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