Inge Lotz Murder: Prof. Saayman and the murder weapon
Professor Gert Saayman, head of the University of Pretoria’s department of forensic medicine was the latest expert witness to be called to the stand to testify for the defence. In his opinion, it was highly unlikely that wounds to Inge’s skull were caused by the ornamental hammer produced as evidence by the State.
He said that when a hammer is used in such a crime, it tended to leave a closely-matched imprint of its shape on the skull. In this case he found that it did not. In addition some of the wounds on the top of the skull were wider than the 21mm surface of the hammer. In one case he pointed out that the wound was 15mm wider.
In his opinion the wounds were not caused by a hammer, but rather by something that was rigid and rod-shaped - like a lead pipe.
Saayman said that it was also highly improbable that the wounds were caused by the back end of the hammer as their edges were too irregular and torn.
Later he acknowledged that to some people seeing the curvilinear nature of the wounds that they would assume it was a hammer, but there were “far more probable items”.
Prof Saayman was asked to comment on tha state pathologist’s findings regarding the injury at the base of the skull. He said that this kind of injury was caused by the sort of force involved in a car accident, or hitting someones on the head with a brick, or slamming their head into the floor. He stated that it was highly unlikely to have been caused by a relatively small hammer.
The case has been postponed until Wednesday for cross-examination as state advocate Carine Theunissen complained that she had been given no advance warning of Saayman’s testimony, and would have to consult experts of her own.
Comments:
We have now heard the opinions of the defence side. In this matter there is little I can say until the state has made their cross-examination. However I do suggest that you read back to the Inge Lotz Murder: The Ornamental Hammer in order to refresh yourself on what the state has said so far. I can see a big issue developing over this evidence!
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