Vic: DNA expert to give evidence at Leskie inquest

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2003
Vic: DNA expert to give evidence at Leskie inquest

MELBOURNE, Dec 5 AAP - A forensic expert who says DNA evidence in the Jaidyn Leskie
case may have been deliberately contaminated will testify at the inquest.

Professor Barry Boettcher, who was working for Jaidyn's mother Bilynda Williams, has
said valuable DNA evidence was being withheld from the inquest.

Female DNA found on Jaidyn's bib was later matched to that of a rape victim with no
apparent connection to the case - raising the possibility of a laboratory mix-up.

Prof Boettcher's comments sparked a sharp reply at the inquest today from barrister
Michael Tovey, SC, representing the Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre.

Prof Boettcher had not mentioned the possibility of deliberate contamination in his
earlier reports to the coroner, nor had other experts, Mr Tovey said.

"Not once has any expert suggested if there was contamination it might have been deliberate,"

Mr Tovey said.

"It is not much assistance to have people smarting from the background in the daily
press," he said.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Jim Kennan, SC, confirmed that Prof Boettcher would
be called as a witness, along with other experts, to thoroughly investigate the DNA issue.

"By the end of this inquest and hearing, the issue of DNA will be more fully ventilated
than has previously taken place in an Australian courtroom," Mr Kennan said.

The inquest today also heard from two forensic pathologists who gave evidence that
Jaidyn's injuries were consistent with alleged jailhouse confessions by Greg Domaszewicz.

Jaidyn's body was recovered from Blue Rock dam near Moe on January 1, 1998, six months
after he disappeared while being babysat by Mr Domaszewicz.

Jaidyn had suffered a fractured skull at the base of his head and two broken bones
in his left forearm.

Mr Domaszewicz allegedly admitted to fellow prisoners he had put a pillow over Jaidyn's
head and hit him with a crowbar to stop his crying after a car fell on his arm.

The inquest continues before State Coroner Graeme Johnstone.

AAP nl/kc/ce/tma/de

KEYWORD: LESKIE BOETTCHER

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