Jury at Sandeson's murder trial hears DNA, firearm evidence | SaltWire

Florence Celestin, a DNA specialist with the RCMP forensic lab in Ottawa, leaves court Thursday after testifying at William Michael Sandeson's jury trial. Sandeson is charged with first-degree murder in the August 2015 disappearance of fellow Dalhousie University student Taylor Samson. - Steve BruceDARTMOUTH, N.S. — Two experts from the RCMP forensic lab in Ottawa testified Thursday at William Michael Sandeson’s first-degree murder trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

Firearms specialist Laura Knowles offered evidence about the suspected murder weapon, a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic, nine-millimetre pistol that was discovered in a safe in Sandeson’s bedroom. In addition, the jury heard that the victim’s DNA was found on a pair of pants in Sandeson’s bedroom, in the sink of his bathroom, on carpeting that was cut out of the trunk of his vehicle, and on one of 20 bags of marijuana that had been stashed in the basement of Sandeson’s brother’s dwelling.

Sandeson’s former girlfriend testified Monday there was a strong smell of bleach in his apartment when she returned to it shortly after midnight on Aug. 16, 2015.“Bleach can have a negative effect on DNA,” Celestin explained. “It will cut it down into small pieces. That’s why we won’t be able to determine how much DNA is present and we won’t be able to obtain a DNA profile.”

Knowles, in her testimony as a firearms specialist, said she tested the semi-automatic pistol and found it to be"operating as intended." She said seven pounds of force was required to pull the trigger, which was within normal range, and the gun was not susceptible to discharging from the shock of being dropped from different heights.Knowles said the gun was capable of firing both nine-millimetre and .38-calibre ammunition. She said a .

Knowles also examined a .38-calibre cartridge that was sent to the lab. She said tool marks on the cartridge indicate it had been loaded or chambered in the gun, ejected from it, or had come into contact with it in some other way.

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