Bayoh inquiry told no evidence of boot stamp on PC's vest
- Published
It was alleged PC Nicole Short was stamped on with force
The Sheku Bayoh inquiry has heard forensic scientists found no evidence to support claims he stamped on a police officer before he died in 2015.
Two of PC Nicole Short's colleagues alleged that Mr Bayoh stamped on her with force before they restrained him.
Experts from the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) compared marks on the officer's uniform with the soles of Mr Bayoh's boots.
The hearing was told they found nothing to provide a meaningful comparison.
Alison Marven, who works at the SPA's forensics laboratory, analysed the vest worn by PC Short on the day of Mr Bayoh's arrest and death.
She said she compared the mark on the vest to an imprint of "Urban Logic" branded boots worn by Mr Bayoh.
There was only a "partial mark" on the vest, she said, and it was not possible to determine an overall pattern of a footwear mark.
The inquiry was shown notes from her examination, which said: "Marks on the jacket possibly included a triangle.
"Possible that this is one of the elements from the shoes of the deceased but there really is insufficient detail/resolution for any meaningful comparison."
The inquiry's senior counsel Angela Grahame QC asked Ms Marven 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.
"That's why it was insufficient for a meaningful comparison. We couldn't orientate it in any way."
The inquiry, in Edinburgh, aims to explore the circumstances of the 31-year-old's death, how police handled the aftermath and whether race was a factor.
Other police officers previously told the inquiry they saw Mr Bayoh stamping on PC Short after she fell to the ground during the incident in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
However, other witnesses have cast doubt on whether the stamp took place.
A man who watched the arrest from his home said he did not think the alleged stamping incident could have happened.
Last week, a medical consultant said he would have expected to see more evidence of fractured ribs if this had been the case.
A Scottish Police Federation representative said she saw a mark on the PC's vest which appeared as if it was "roughly the shape of a shoe".Earlier on Friday, 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."
Sheku Bayoh died after being restrained by officers in Kirkcaldy in May 2015
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 stamping.
She added: "I did not see anything of any relevance or anything that looked like footwear when I carried out my fluorescence exam."
SPA scene examiner Judith Harley also gave evidence to the inquiry.
She said she took photographs of PC Short, who is now retired, on 3 and 8 May 2015. The inquiry was shown photos of PC Short's face, hands, elbows and knees.
Ms Thomson asked why there were no photographs of her torso or back.
Ms Harley said: "I can only assume it was never asked for or requested."
The inquiry before Lord Bracadale continues.