A FORENSIC scientist has told a hearing into the death of dog walker Jean Campbell that marks found on her hands and body could have been caused by a dog lead.
Richard Vallance was giving evidence at an examination of facts at the High Court in Glasgow.
Paul Ward, 21, is accused of murdering 53-year-old Mrs Campbell by repeatedly striking her on the head and body with a dog lead and by means unknown inflicting further injuries at Cranhill Park, Glasgow, on December 13, 2013.
He is deemed unfit to stand trial and is currently in the State Hospital. At the end of the examination of facts judge Lord Matthews will determine if Ward committed the offence.
Mrs Campbell's body was found before 8am on December 14, 2013. by her husband John, a nightshift worker, who was worried when he came home to find her and their German Shepherd dog Kai missing.
He searched where she normally walked the dog.
A massive police operation was launched, which included photographs being taken of the injuries suffered by Mrs Campbell.
Pathologist Marjorie Turner described some of the marks found on Mrs Campbell's body as highly unusual and Y shaped. She said she had never come across anything like it before.
Yesterday, Mr Vallance told advocate depute Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, that he was given a number of photographs of Mrs Campbell's body and also the dog lead which was found near her body.
He was asked what his conclusion was and replied: "The dog lead could have been responsible for the marks or equally any other object of similar dimensions could be responsible."
Mr Vallance was asked by defence QC Donald Findlay what he was looking for when he examined the black coat and the floral pyjamas which Mrs Campbell had been wearing, and said: "Marks."
Mr Findlay then said: "You were not looking for fibres or blood," and he replied: "No."
Mr Vallence also agreed with Mr Findlay that he had found no footwear impressions on Mrs Campbell's clothing.
Detective Sergeant Kirsty Moore told the court she arrived at Cranhill Park at 8.08am on December 14, 2013.
She said: "An ambulance was present and various police officers."
Prosecutor Mr Prentice asked her: "Did you make your way to the perimeter of the park," and she replied: "Yes I did. I observed a body lying in the park area covered with a blanket and there were various items round the body."
She said one of the items was a dog lead and another a flip flop.
The hearing before judge Lord Matthews continues.
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