Woolmer murder case hit by delays in toxicology report

Police investigating the death of Bob Woolmer may have to wait for weeks for the results of toxicology tests that will help to determine whether the Pakistan coach was murdered or not.

The delays in the toxicology report will further hamper the investigation, as the Jamaican police and other investigation agencies are yet to find a motive or a suspect, three weeks after Woolmer's body was found on March 18 in a Kingston hotel.

Mark Shields, the deputy commissioner of the Jamaican police said finalising the tests could take up to eight weeks.

"It's in everyone's interest to know exactly when he died and how. But frustrating as it may be, science goes at a certain pace," Shields, a former Scotland Yard detective was quoted as saying by The Sunday Times.

British experts have also raised doubts whether there is sufficient evidence with the investigators to conclude that the Pakistan coach was asphyxiated by "manual strangulation", as Jamaican police continue saying.

A British pathologist said that Jamaican post-mortem examinations were often of a poor standard. "They are hackers, not cutters," he said.

The toxicology tests will establish whether Woolmer was poisoned or drugged. This might also explain why there was no evidence of a struggle and why there were no bruises or scratches on his neck.

It has emerged that Woolmer's last meal was lasagne, delivered by room service. Police have not ruled out poisoning, possibly using the drug aconite, which can cause asphyxia.

"We have had a report of aconite poisoning and we are investigating," Shields said.

Shields also indicated that his officers are likely to travel to Pakistan to clear up "ambiguities" in statements given by the team and officials. But he cautioned: "One should never jump to the conclusion that because there's an ambiguity, a person is a suspect."

(IANS)

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