DNA found in pilot’s shotgun, court told

DNA was found by a forensic investigator inside the barrel of alleged double-murderer Greg Lynn’s shotgun, a jury has been told.

Mr Lynn, 57, is facing trial in the Victorian Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to the murders of Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, while camping in the Wonnangatta Valley more than four years ago.

Prosecutors allege he killed the pair “without lawful excuse” after a dispute, likely over Mr Hill’s drone or footage on the drone.

The former airline pilot has asked the jury to find him not guilty, saying the pair both died accidental deaths set in motion after Mr Hill swiped his firearm.

DNA found inside shotgun barrel, jury told

On Wednesday, Victoria Police forensic officer Mark Gellatly gave evidence he was asked to test Mr Lynn’s Barathrum Arms SP-12 for blood after it was seized from his home in November 2021.

Previously, the jury was told prosecutors allege the shotgun was used to kill Mrs Clay at Bucks Camp on March 20, 2020.

Mr Gellatley said he had been told by investigator Detective Sergeant Brett Florence it was believed the gun had shot Mrs Clay at a distance of about 3-4m.

“There’s a theory with firearms, when fired a vacuum is created and blood can be drawn back in,” he said.

“Generally the theory is when projectile exits, it creates a vacuum that when dissipating draws air back in.”

He told the jury there were no traces of blood on the external surface of the shotgun, but “brown staining” was swabbed from inside the barrel.

Mr Gellatley said a “very partial” single-source DNA profile was obtained, but he was unable to compare it to existing profiles for Mr Hill, Mrs Clay or Mr Lynn.

“Based on the limited information we had no comparison could be made,” he said.

Skull fragments located at campsite

Also on Wednesday, forensic anthropologist Soren Blau told the jury small fragments of cranial bone were found at the campsite where Mrs Clay was allegedly murdered.

Dr Blau said several fragments were linked by DNA to Mrs Clay and displayed fracture lines “consistent” with trauma close to the time of death.

She said as part of her investigation, these were X-rayed with some displaying “small areas of a radiopaque material”.

“These anomalies may have been metal,” she told the jury.

Dr Blau was questioned by prosecutor Daniel Porceddu about whether these opaque objects had been produced by gunshot, saying; “that is a possibility, but it’s not my area of expertise”.

Under cross examination from Mr Lynn’s barrister, Dr Blau elaborated further, saying the “anomalies” could be explained by a range of things.

“It would have to have a particular property to make it appear denser, which is how metal does appear,” she said.

“All I can say is it is radiopaque.”

Bones too ‘fragmented’ to be categorised, jury told

Dr Blau gave evidence that more than 2100 bone fragments were discovered in bushland off the Union Spur track in December 2021.

Dr Blau took the jury through dozens of photos from the Union Spur track showing “human bones, burnt black” that were recovered at the site.

“They are human, they are burnt and they are extremely fragmented,” she said.

“The photographs highlight the extreme fragmentation and small size of the majority of remains that were discovered.”

The anthropology expert said some were located on the surface, including a bone from the big toe, ankle bone, and a part of a tibia.

She said the majority of bone recovered was unable to be categorised other than being human in origin, but 146 fragments were identified as belonging to specific parts of the body.

Personal belongings, including a silver ring, dental prosthesis and the burnt face of a watch, were located with the bones, the jury was told.

Prosecutors allege Mr Lynn killed Mr Hill first by unknown means before shooting Mrs Clay as a witness in the evening of March 20, 2020.

Through his lawyer, the accused man is arguing both died accidental deaths, with Mrs Clay shot in the head as the two men fought over the shotgun, with Mr Hill falling on a knife after attacking him following the death.

Previously, the jury was told, Mr Lynn did not dispute that he set fire to the campsite and destroyed their bodies fearing he would be “wrongly blamed”.

Mr Lynn’s barrister Dermot Dann KC said his client had provided a “truthful” account of what happened after his arrest and helped police find the remains.

“As a matter of law, the prosecution will have to disprove his account,” he said.

“Ask yourselves these questions: is any of this evidence going anywhere remotely close to disproving Mr Lynn’s account of two accidental deaths beyond reasonable doubt; or is it in fact the opposite situation, that this evidence that you’re hearing – these experts, are confirming and supporting Mr Lynn’s account.”

The trial continues.