Alleged murder victim Mary McLaughlin was strangled by her own dressing gown cord, a jury was told today.
Forensic scientist Joanne Cochrane was giving evidence in the trial of Graham McGill, 59, who denies assaulting 58-year-old mum-of-11 Mary McLaughlin with intent to rape and murdering her at her flat in Crathie Court, Laurel Street, Glasgow, on September 26 or 27, 1984.
She was asked by prosecutor Alex Prentice QC: “You were given background information that her body was found on October 2, 1984, her dress was on the wrong way round and the belt of her dressing gown was round her neck and the cause of death was ligature strangulation,” and she replied: “Yes.”
Ms Cochrane told the jury at the High Court in Glasgow that the murder of Mary was what is known as a cold case and attempts to find DNA had been made on four previous occasions.
She said: “This was in 1984, in 1999 and 2002 to 2004 and 2006 to 2008.”
Ms Cochrane added: “This review was from 2014 to 2020. We were requested to examine items relating to Mary McLaughlin to determine where any DNA received from items may have originated.”
Mr Prentice asked: “Has DNA analysis greater opportunities now,” and she replied: “Yes, as new technology comes on we now have the gold standard of DNA profiling.”
Earlier, retired police officer Brian Foster revealed that he was part of the CID team that investigated the murder in 1984.
He said: “Whoever had committed the murder had locked Mary's door leaving her dead inside. We never found Mary's keys.”
The jurors were shown a seven minute video of the interior of Mary's flat with her body lying on her back on her bed wearing a green dress with a ligature round her neck. Dentures were lying on the floor beside the bed.
Before the footage was shown Mr Prentice warned jurors and family of Mary's family that the scenes may be distressing.
McGill is also accused of stealing a set of keys from Mary's home.
He faces a further charge of threatening to murder Suzanne Russell and children at 218 Watling Street, Motherwell between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 1988.
McGill denies all the charges against him.
The trial before judge Lord Burns continues.
