Baby blood on parka

Press, 19 December 1981, Page 8

Baby blood on parka

NZPA Alice Springs The man whose evidence was discredited at the first Azaria Chamberlain inquest was responsible for the new inquiry into the baby’s death.

this was revealed in evidence yesterday from the same man, an Adelaide forensic odontologist, Kenneth Brown, to the new inquest before the Coroner. Mr Gerry Galvin. He. told the inquiry yesterday that he did not plan to instigate a new inquiry when he took Azaria’s clothing to London where it was examined by a forensic scientist, Professor James Cameron, and other experts. “If my conclusions were not valid I would learn from these experts how I should have done it." Mr Brown's evidence related to his examination of

nine-week-old Azaria's clothing for teeth marks.

In other evidence to the inquest yesterday, an Adelaide forensic biologist, Dr Andrew Scott, told the Court that blood stains on one of the Chamberlain’s parkas “were consistent with the wearer carrying the bleeding child."

He also gave evidence that specks of blood on the Chamberlains’ tent were not human.

Mr Phil Rice. Q.C., counsel for Azaria’s parents, Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, sought to have Mr Brown’s evidence disallowed because he was not expert on teeth marks in material. The Coroner said he would allow Mr Brown to give evidence and said he would decide later how much he would accept.

Dr Scott said that apart from the blood on the tent all other samples he tested contained foetal haemoglobin. Foetal haemoglobin was present in babies’ blood to the age of about six months. In very rare cases it was present in older humans but he could see no way that it could be present beyond six months in any child patented by Mr and Mrs Chamberlain.

Dr Scott said there were big stains on the parka’s front, on the right side of the hood, left arm, and also some staining on the left hood and the other sleeve.

Explaining why he believed staining was consistent with the parka's being worn at the time, he said it was almost impossible to expose at the one time all the areas that were stained.