Blood soaked clothes with more than 45 stab cuts were found dumped in a wheelie bin, a murder trial has heard.
Two hooded tops were recovered by police investigating the death of Montrose mum Kimberley MacKenzie.
Ex-boyfriend Steven Jackson, 40, and Michelle Higgins, 29, are on trial at Glasgow High Court accused of murdering and dismembering the 37-year-old.
They deny all charges.
Dundee-based forensic scientist Barry Mitchell told jurors he had been asked to examine two hooded tops which were found in a bin at William Phillip Drive.
One item was described as an XL Cedarwood top.
He said it was heavily saturated with blood.
“Most of the blood appeared to have originated on the inside of the top,” he said.
An analysis found DNA matching Miss MacKenzie.
He said there were 45 stab cuts across the front and back.
Mr Mitchell said the damage corresponded with cuts on the second hoodie, as if the two garments were worn together when the cuts were inflicted.
He said severance cuts found on the clothing could have been made by a saw.
The court heard DNA from Miss MacKenzie was found on the tools and other items recovered from Jackson’s flat in Market Street.
These included a saw, a black wallpaper scraping tool and Stanley knife.
Traces of blood were found on a bent black handled knife, a skean dhu dagger and a mop.
He said it was possible the knife and Skean Dhu were cleaned before they were recovered by police.
He also said the mop had smelt strongly of bleach.
“Bleach is a very successful way of destroying DNA,” he said.
Miss MacKenzie’s blood was also found on a u-bend removed from Jackson’s bath.
Mr Mitchell said: “This could be explained by a significant volume of blood from her, having flowed out of the bath via the u-bend.”
AÂ separate analysis of blood strained strands from the mop found DNA matching Miss MacKenzie.
Higgins’ DNA was found on the handle of a Co-op carrier bag which contained Miss MacKenzie’s lower torso, as well as on the shoulder strap and handle of a pink rucksack which also held body parts.
Closing the crown case, prosecutor Ashley Edwards QC formally withdrew allegations that Jackson was involved in the supply of diamorphine and diazepam.
An allegation that Higgins was in possession of a knife in a public place was also dropped.
The trial before Lady Rae continues.
