Cape Town - The credibility of a fingerprint expert in the Anni Dewani murder trial was brought into question in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday.
The defence questioned Warrant Officer Johan Hannekom on his qualifications and ability to do the job.
Hannekom, who worked at the criminal records centre, had previously testified that Xolile Mngeni was linked to the crime scene through his left palm print.
Mngeni is on trial for Dewani's murder in November 2010. She had been on honeymoon with her husband Shrien.
Mngeni has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Matthews Dayimani, for Mngeni, asked what type of training Hannekom had gone through to make him an expert.
He said he began his career at the centre in 2000, and went through a vigorous theoretical and practical training programme.
Following his graduation from the programme, he had pioneered a new technique in fingerprint collection.
Dayimani then questioned the quality of Mngeni's palm prints on the court chart, which had been entered into the record.
“Would you say it's a good print to look at if making comparisons (during analysis)?” the lawyer asked.
Hannekom admitted that the prints handed out in court were photocopies of the original and therefore not as clear. He said there had likely been something wrong with the photocopy machine.
Judge Robert Henney gave the lawyer the original prints, as well as a magnifying glass.
Dayimani took his time in scrutinising the prints. He then said he was putting that line of questioning aside.
The trial continues. - Sapa