PROFESSOR Lorna Martin, head of the Division of Forensic Science at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, yesterday recommended that a review of tests carried out on samples from the body of former Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer’s be conducted to find the real cause of death.

Martin made the recommendation during her sworn testimony at an inquest into Woolmer’s death at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

“The results of the histology, toxicology and X-ray should be reviewed to ascertain more clearly the cause of death, including the analysis of fluid found on the pillow and all fluids in the bathroom,” Martin said.

Martin was one of three pathologists whose help local police sought after an initial autopsy and report were conducted and handed in by local consultant pathologist, Dr Ere Seshiah.

Seshiah had ruled that Woolmer died of asphyxia due to manual strangulation but the three overseas-based pathologists – Martin, Dr Nathaniel Cary of Britain and Dr Michael Pollanen of Ontario, Canada – all poured cold water on Seshiah’s findings.

Yesterday, Martin offered what she described as her speculative view of how Woolmer met his end.

“At some point during the evening, Mr Woolmer got out of bed, knocked over the chair and ran to the bathroom to vomit. My speculation is that he collapsed and possibly carried on vomiting then suffered his cardiac event,” Martin told the court.

Martin also testified that from her perusal of photographs she got from the Jamaican police, Woolmer’s hyoid bone was not fractured as reported by Seshiah.

“From observation of the photograph of the hyoid bone, apparently removed a few days after, there did not appear to be a fracture,” Martin said.

Director of Public Prosecutions Kent Pantry, however got Martin to admit that it was still possible for strangulation to occur even if the hyoid bone was not fractured.

“Can you have manual strangulation without the hyoid bone being fractured?” Pantry asked.

“Yes you could,” Martin replied.

Martin also testified that after observing video and still photo evidence she noticed genuine bruising to Woolmer’s neck, tongue and nose.

Evidence was also given by Kingston Public Hospital radiographer Florette Skyers, who testified that she conducted the X-ray examination of Woolmer’s hyoid bone on May 17 this year.