Inquiry hears expert report on PC’ s vest

There was “insufficient detail” to match Sheku Bayoh’s bootprints to a mark found on a vest worn by a police constable he allegedly stamped on, an inquiry in Edinburgh was told.

Alison Marven, from the Scottish Police Authority’s (SPA) forensics laboratory, analysed a vest worn by PC Nicole Short on the day of Mr Bayoh’s arrest and death in May 2015.

Other police officers have told the inquiry they saw Mr Bayoh stamping on PC Short after she fell to the ground during the incident in Kirkcaldy.

However other witnesses have cast doubt on whether the stamp took place.

Last week, a medical consultant said he would have expected to see more evidence of fractured ribs if this had been the case.

Yesterday afternoon, Ms Marven was questioned by the inquiry’s senior counsel, Angela Grahame QC.

She said she compared the mark on PC Short’s vest to an imprint of Urban Logic-branded boots worn by Mr Bayoh, adding it was not possible to determine an overall pattern of a footwear mark.

Asked by Ms Grahame if the marks on the vest matched the imprint of the boots, Ms Marven told the inquiry: “No, we found that there was insufficient detail there for us to orientate the footwear mark from the soles of the shoe with the marks we were finding on there.”

The inquiry heard from another forensic expert at the SPA who examined the vest.

Laura MacPhie, who works at the SPA’s mark enhancement laboratory, carried out a high-intensity light source examination on it.

Responding to questions from the inquiry’s junior counsel Laura Thomson, Ms MacPhie said she paid particular attention to an “area of discolouration” to the rear of the vest.

Ms MacPhie said: “I gather that what was being asked of as possible footwear was the mark area of discolouration, but I did not see anything of any recordable detail within that.”

She said her colleagues had queried whether the mark might be a partial footwear impression and whether she could enhance it, and that she was aware of the alleged stamp.

She added: “I did not see anything of any relevance or anything that looked like footwear when I carried out my fluorescence exam.”

Earlier yesterday morning, SPA scene examiner Judith Harley gave evidence to the inquiry.

She said she took photographs of PC Short, who is now retired, on May 3 and May 8 2015. The inquiry was shown photos of PC Short’s face, hands, elbows and knees.

Ms Thomson asked why there were no photographs of PC Short’s torso or back.

Ms Harley said: “I can only assume it was never asked for or requested.”

The inquiry before Lord Bracadale continues.

STRUGGLE: Witnesses have cast doubt on claims Sheku Bayoh stamped on PC Short.