Woolmer murder: some answers expected from forensic report

The forensic and the DNA reports of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer are likely to come Tuesday, according to Mark Shields, deputy commissioner of police, Jamaica Constabulary Force.

"We are making progress in the case each day," said Shields. "With the reports (forensic and DNA) in hand, we would be able get answers to some vital questions."

Woolmer, 58, was found dead in his 12th floor room in the Jamaica Pegasus hotel here March 18 morning, a day after Pakistan's loss to Ireland in a Group D match of the cricket World Cup, which sent the subcontinental powerhouse crashing out of cricket's biggest event.

After initially stating that the death was 'suspicious', Jamaica police later officially confirmed that it was a case of murder, attributing the cause of death to 'asphyxia caused by manual strangulation'.

Shields also said that the surveillance tapes have been converted to digital format, which would allow the police to review the same in minute detail.

Meanwhile, a team of Pakistan diplomats from Washington, who are camping in Kingston, are due to leave Tuesday. The diplomats were invited by the Jamaican government to oversee the questioning of the Pakistani team and officials in the Woolmer murder case.

"All courtesies and cooperation have been extended to the diplomats from Pakistan," said Shields, a an officer from London's Scotland Yard, currently on contract with the Jamaican government. "We would be sharing the information with them as the case develops further."

Detectives from Scotland Yard have also been roped into the investigation of the case.

Woolmer, a Brirish passport holder, was born in 1948 in Kanpur and made his debut for England in 1972. He was selected as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year in 1976. Woolmer coached South Africa, where he emigrated, from 1994 to 1999. He was appointed coach to the Pakistan team in 2005.

Meanhile, the Pakistan cricket team left for London en route home Saturday after being questioned, finger printed and swabbed for DNA. They are due to arrive in Pakistan Wednesday.

(IANS)

Viewer's Comment

Comments Not Available

More Stories