How can Sheila get copper on her left hand?
And why does both her left, right and control hand swabs show similar levels of copper that was found on the left, right and control hand swabs of the lab testees after loading 18 bullets into the rifle magazine?
The logical answer is she reloaded the magazine like the lab staff did.
B.R. Elliott, Cross-examined. Q. Brass is softer than steel?
A: Brass is softer yes, but steel is appreciably harder.
Q: The constituents are what?
A: Copper and Zinc.
Q: I would like to continue, if I may, with this demonstration which has been given to us by the graphs you have produced, in relation to copper. If you look please, forgive me, I would like you to go back to the blank control swab. That copper there, is a copper element there which is virtually undetectable isn't it?
A: There is a hint of copper.
Q: A hint of it, but virtually undetectable. Now I would like you to go over the page to Sheila's left hand swab, taking the graph over the top.
A: Copper is there in a Larger quantity, but again very small.
Q: You agree that copper is there in a larger quantity but you say a very small amount. Copper is undoubtedly detectable, isn't it?
A: Yes, the copper is present on that hand swab.
Q: Go over the page to the right hand swab please. There is a little, in fact no more than the control swab?
A: That is correct yes.
Q: Would you now go over the page to the left hand of the female member of lab staff who was handling 18 of these cartridges and look at the copper there.
A: Yes.
Q: There is copper?
A: Yes there is.
Q: And it is a matter of comment, but if one goes back to Sheila's left hand swab it is about the same as Sheila's isn't it?
A: Yes.
Q: And if you go over to the right hand swab of the female member of the lab staff. Again we see copper there, but it is hardly any more than the copper that appears on the control swab.
A: Yes again a very small level.
Q: Just like Sheila's right hand I won't say exactly the same but it is similar isn't it?
A: Probably a little more but a low level.
Q: Thank you. Would you please now go over to the male member of the lab staff and look at copper.
A: Copper is certainly present there again in a small quantity.
Q: I see, and the right hand swab?
A: Again present in a small quantity.
Q: Slightly smaller quantity isn't it?
A: Slightly smaller than the left hand, Yes.
Q: Led is the softer you say, or lead particles are the softer?
A: Of the three metals we discussed so far.
Q: And much easier to smear off because of that?
A: To smear on and to smear off.
Q: To smear on and to smear off?
A: Yes.
Q: If one's hands are sticky? We saw what happened yesterday when Mr. Fletcher was in the witness box. If one's hands are sticky and perspiring and if one had reason to wipe them you would expect lead which has accumulated to be smeared off, wouldn't you?
A: Yes some of it would be smeared off, yes.
Q: As regards cartridges. When a cartridge is loaded into the magazine are you aware of this fact that the cartridge is liable to get scratched?
A: I know it can do yes.
Q: In those circumstances there may be particles of brass scratched off the cartridge.
A: Yes that is possible, yes.
Q: And it is right. isn't it. that a fine scratched off particles might show on your graph?
A: Yes that is correct.
Well done Rivlin for telling the jury she washed her hands.
