Technology experts will give evidence in an Adelaide court about the accuracy of data collected by the smartwatch worn by a woman who was allegedly murdered by her daughter-in-law.
Caroline Dela Rose Nilsson, 27, is charged with murdering Myrna Nilsson at their Valley View home in Adelaide's north-east in September 2016.
Myrna Nilsson was found dead inside the house after her daughter-in-law emerged gagged and distressed, telling neighbours they were the victims of a violent home invasion.
Ms Nilsson was charged with murder after police discovered that the data from the smartwatch Myrna Nilsson was wearing allegedly put her time of death at odds with her daughter-in-law's version of events.
A prosecutor previously told the Adelaide Magistrates Court that the Apple Watch was a "foundational piece of evidence".
On Thursday, Magistrate Brett Dixon ordered two experts in technology and electronic engineering to testify on the reliability and accuracy of data collected on smartwatches, including the step count and heart rate sensors.
The experts will testify in what is called a "Rule 20 hearing" which takes place before a defendant enters a plea to the charge.
During an unsuccessful bail application last year, prosecutor Carmen Matteo told the court crucial evidence had been analysed from the smartwatch.
Ms Matteo said the evidence supported the allegation Ms Nilsson staged a home invasion to conceal her involvement in her mother-in-law's murder.
"The evidence from the Apple Watch is a foundational piece of evidence for demonstrating the falsity of the defendant's account to police," Ms Matteo said.
"A watch of this type … contains sensors capable of tracking the movement and rate of movement of the person wearing it and it keeps a history of the wearer's daily activity, it also measures the heart rate."
Ms Matteo told the court the data showed activity consistent with Myrna Nilsson being ambushed and attacked as she walked into her home just after 6:30pm.
She said it then showed activity and heart rate measurements consistent with her body going into shock and losing consciousness.
"The deceased must have been attacked at around 6:38pm and had certainly died by 6:45pm," she said.
"If that evidence is accepted, it tends to contradict the accused's version of an argument occurring between the deceased and these men outside the laundry for a period of up to 20 minutes."
The expert evidence will be heard on May 30.
