The police were unable to make any positive fingerprint matches, in order to link a suspect to the triple murder of the Steenkamp family at Naauwhoek farm near Griquatown in the Northern Cape.
Deon, 44, his wife Christel, 43 and their daughter Marthella, 14, Steenkamp were gunned down on Good Friday last year.
Constable Stephen Mohitlhi from the SAPS Local Criminal Record Centre and finger print expert yesterday testified in the Northern Cape High Court on Thursday how he had obtained swabs of the accused - a 16 year old boy who has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, rape and defeating the ends of justice.
He also videographed the crime scene on the night of the murder on April 6 2012.
Northern Cape High Court Judge President Frans Kgomo once again warned family members that the footage could be upsetting to sensitive viewers.
Earlier on in the proceedings, Deon Steenkamp’s sister Marianna Smith who travelled from Stellenbosch to attend the trial, broke down when she saw images of the deceased on the slide show that was displayed in court.
Mohitlhi recorded footage of three glasses that were found lying on the grass at the back of the house.
One of the glasses was lying on its side while the other two were upright and were found at the side of the house.
He stated that he was unable to identifiy which objects had been disturbed inside the house, as there was no witness to indicate which items had been moved from their original position.
“I used my discretion as no one told me where to look for fingerprints. I took finger prints from a firearm holster, the safe, table, counter, fridge and the telephone, although no positive prints could be traced. The safe was open and there were firearms inside.”
Mohitlhi explained that it was customary to take fingerprints from fridges, as suspects involved in housebreakings incidents often, searched for food.
He added that an unidentifable fingerprint was lifted from the safe in the main bedroom.
“It did not have enough ridges to make a positive identification and I was unable to use it. At least seven points are needed, in order to make a recommendation. “
The fingerprint was however preserved as evidence.
Mohitlhi said the only positive print that could be used was obtained from the glass that was found nearest to the house, that was lying on its side.
He added that he had received a list of all the names from the investigating officer, including that of the accused along with Deon, Christel and Marthella Steenkamp with which to match the fingerprints.
He said he had only received two thumb prints of Marthella Steenkamp that were obtained during the autopsy but that he could not use it for investigation purposes as it was a copy of an original.
Mohitlhi said the all fingerprints were scanned through the Automated Fingerprint Identification system – a national database of arrested criminals.
“No matches were found from the prints lifted from the glass.”
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