GOVERNMENT forensic expert, Marcia Dunbar, testified Monday at the inquest into the police shooting death of seven young men in Braeton, St Catherine last March that elevated levels of gunpowder residue were found on the swabs and extracts from four of the seven youth.

In response to a question from a juror, Dunbar who concluded her testimony Monday, said that elevated levels of gunpowder residue were found on the hands of Lanceford Clarke, Curtis Smith, Chris Grant and Reagon Beckford.

She had testified earlier that it was possible that with the elevated levels of gunpowder residue found the four youth could have fired guns. She had also explained that more than 10 particles of nitrate had to be seen on the piece of swab placed under the microscope for it to be determined that the gunpowder residue level was elevated. Intermediate gunpowder residue is five to 10 particles and traces, up to four particles.

Dunbar also testified Monday that herself and the person who worked with her in analysing the swabs from the seven deceased was in total agreement with the findings.

The forensic expert said that a report from this person would not have helped in analysis of what was found on the swabs, but would have helped in their interpretation in terms of giving an opinion.

Coroner Lorna Errar-Gayle earlier ruled that the brief Dunbar received from Detective Sergeant Devon Harrison of the Scenes of Crime along with the swabs, should not be revealed to the jury.

Under cross-examination by Carrington Mahoney deputy director of public prosecutions, Dunbar said that if there was contamination during the lifting of the body by the person who had fired a weapon she would expect to find trace levels of gunpowder residue.