An expert in bloodstain pattern analysis testifying at the second-degree murder trial of Dennis Oland that the weapon used to kill Richard Oland would have been covered in blood, and, if the brown jacket seized from Dennis Oland’s home was worn by the killer during the killing that would have a significant amount of blood on it.
Patrick Laturnus, a self-employed forensic consultant called to the stand by the defence, agreeing that some of the blows to Richard Oland happened while he was seated and some when he was close to the floor – which is where his bludgeoned body was discovered on July 7, 2011.
Laturnus says blood spatter on the killer could be anywhere from head to toe, calling it a dynamic situation. The trial has heard of three confirmed areas for blood on the brown jacket and the DNA profile matched that of his father Richard Oland: the outside right sleeve, the upper left chest area and the back bottom near the hem.
The brown jacket was seized one week after the discovery of Richard Oland’s body.
Laturnus agreeing that there’s very little evidence of bloody footwear leaving the scene.
Earlier in the trial the Crown called its own expert in bloodstain pattern analysis, Sgt Brian Wetnzell of the RCMP. Wentzell came to Saint John on July 11, 2011 to help the police in bloodstain pattern analysis at the crime scene.
The trial resumes Monday at 9:30am at the Saint John Law Courts.
CHSJ News reporter Laura Lyall is covering the Dennis Oland trial and is live-tweeting the proceedings. You can follow along on the CHSJ News Twitter page or the Wave News Twitter page.
