One of my most popular posts last year was a look at the Oscar Pistoris case and the forensic evidence that may be used in the case. Here’s a quick update.
Original post found here.
We are now two days into the trial of Oscar Pistorius, charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentines Day 2013. On day one he plead not guilty to her murder. So far the evidence has focussed on the neighbours’ testimony that there were screams heard shortly before shots were fired. Three witnesses have sworn that they heard loud arguments between a male and a female, which counters his defence of hearing an intruder in the bathroom when he believed Ms Steemkamp was in bed. The claim that screams were heard after the shots have been countered with the prosecution trailing the forensic ballistics evidence. They outlined the ballistics evidence today, suggesting there was no way the screams could have been between or after the shots. It was said that a ballistics expert reported four shots – hitting the right thigh of the victim, a wall, her shoulder and the fourth causing the fatal blow, hitting her in the head.
The ballistics, it would seem are going to be one of the key pieces of the case for prosecutor Gerrie Nel. I expect they will outline the height from which the gun was fired and how far from the toilet he was. They have not revieled what other forensic evidence will be used so I will keep my eyes and ears open!
I’m looking forward to getting into the forensic evidence, I’ll come back with another update when we have some to dicuss!
Thanks for reading.
OP Photo from Flickr user Alex W. This picture shows a Nike commercial launched just at the time of the death of Reeva Steenkamp. The ad’s were hastily withdrawn.
Do you think that blood spatter analysis could tell about distance from the gun and relative positioning of the shooter and the victim?
Hi Simona,
Good thinking, yes, the blood spatter will certainly help determine what position she was in at the time of the shots being fired. This combined with the holes in the door and where the bullets impacted will help with working out distances and angles of shots being fired. If she was on the toilet it could help his case that it was a mix up rather than her hiding after an argument as the prosecution allege.
Thanks
Tom
Thanks for keeping us posted – it’s great to get your insight on this
Thank you! I’ll keep on top of anything interesting science wise from now on.
Tom
Hi Tom,
first congrats for such a nice website. If he says that he heard an intruder in the bathroom when he believed Ms Steemkamp was in bed, then how can he explain witnesses heard loud arguments between a male and a female SHORTLY BEFORE the shots?….unsustainable version of Mr. P.
So related to ballistics and blood pattern, when we have proper evidence that the shots were fired from a certain height and distance, this won’t exempt Mr. Pistorius of being the shooter in no way right?. How he can probe it was an accident?