Carroll trial hears firearms evidence

The brown jacket allegedly belongs to 40-year-old ex-councillor Brendan McConville, Glenholme Avenue, Craigavon, which was found in the Saxo car of 20-year-old John Paul Wootton, from Collindale in Lurgan.

They both deny Constable Carroll's murder and possessing the AK47 rifle used by the Continuity IRA gunman who opened fire after the 48-year-old PSNI officer was lured to his death in Lismore Manor - just two days after the murder of soldiers at Massereene army base in March 2009.

Wootton's 48-year-old mother Sharon, of the same address is also on trial accused of perverting justice.

On Monday, Belfast Crown Court was also told by the London based forensic scientist that she can only be 95% sure of her findings, she rejected defence submissions that this weakened the prosecution case that the jacket could be connected to the gun.

The scientist has specialised in firearm residue for the past 11 years.

She also claimed that residues were also recovered from the rear seat covers in the Saxo car, which the prosecution allege was also used as the getaway vehicle.

In the final conclusion of her report, she identified the residue as being "type 7" and those found on the jacket may have originated from the carrying of the gun, or any gun containing similar ammunition and the similar particles found on the covers could have been transferred from the jacket when placed in the car.

"They were all classified as indicative of type seven and there was a very high level of particles recovered all over," she said, adding that such a level suggested close contact between the jacket and the firing of the gun or "something more intimate", such as wiping or wrapping the gun in the jacket.

The scientist also said that data collected over 20 years on firearm particles also suggested that those found "more than likely came from the firearm source than not", but it was also consistent as having come from the recovered ammunition.

However, later in cross-examination by the defence, she was reminded that in an earlier court hearing she conceded she could not be certain as to the source of the particles.

She said that while in her opinion the particles came from a firearm, she could not exclude the possibility they came from another unknown source.

When later asked what percentage of certainty she was talking about, she replied: "95%."

The scientist also accepted that this was "not a straight forward case" and that it was a complex one because of the volume of work generated.

The defence lawyer also suggested that on the analysis of the material by their expert indicated "you cannot be sure that the mixture on the coat comes from a firearm".

The lawyer added that even if the particles did originate from a firearm source, "you cannot say with any certainty if they came from a gun used to kill Constable Carroll".

At hearing.