Jurors in the trial of Mohamad Al Ballouz accused of murdering his wife and two children heard forensic biologist Maria Fiorillo testify about blood samples she analyzed the day after the tragedy, on the 11th day of the trial, on November 25.
Photo by photo, the biologist described the bloodstains she took during her investigation. She explained that the DNA of one or more individuals can be found and matched to genetic profiles. In this file, those of Mohamad Al Ballouz, Synthia Bussières and the two children Eliam and Zac were compared, but those of the children were removed since they did not present any injuries at the autopsy.
Other photos were shown to support the Crown’s theory that Mohamad Al Ballouz, who now considers herself a woman and goes by the name Levana Ballouz, attempted to clean up her crime after the fact, in particular by exposing traces of blood on the handle and handle of the mop, the head of the mop as well as on the bottle of Hertel brand cleaner. In addition, traces of blood were taken from the smoke detectors which were removed as well as from their base.
Traces of blood belonging to Mohamad Al Ballouz’s DNA were taken from the mop. (Photo taken from the evidence)
Blood splashes, some reaching up to the ceiling, were found in the bathroom where the bloodied body of Synthia Bussières was were also presented as evidence, taking into account the direction of the projected drops and the height of these drops. Ms. Fiorillo concluded that they were made by a movement from bottom to top.
A pillow presented in evidence at the start of the Crown’s disclosure was shown on screens again. Blood stains can be seen that “resembled the shape of a hand.” Dr. Fiorillo mentioned that a concentrated blood sample matched that of Mohamad Al Ballouz.
In her cross-examination, the accused questioned Ms. Fiorillo about bloodstains that she did not analyze. The expert replied that she analyzed what was sent to her by the investigators.
Ms Ballouz asked Ms Fiorillo to comment on the hypothesis that Synthia Bussières could have been the one who killed her children and tried to attack her husband. The expert biologist recalled that her job is not to determine the sequence of events and ensures that she has not taken into account the theory of the Crown or the defense.
Drops of blood were sprayed all the way to the bathroom ceiling. (Photo taken from the evidence)
Conclusions
In her report, Maria Fiorillo indicated that the interpretation of the crime scene is limited since there was a very large quantity of water in the home following the activation of the sprinkler located in the master bedroom.
The biologist added that the accumulation of blood on the bathroom floor is compatible with that of Synthia Bussières who was there when she was bleeding. Taking all the analyzes into account, the latter suggests that the “bloody event” took place mainly in this bathroom.
The analysis showed “that at least one person stained with blood had contact with blood in several places in the home, including on the smoke detector bases in the children’s bedroom and the hallway.”
Additionally, the report noted that the presence of blood in the sink and shower of the hallway bathroom demonstrates that blood was cleaned up there.
The trial continues with the testimony of pathologist Dr Yann Dazé.
Traces of blood were found on the smoke detectors that were in the fire. (Photo taken from the evidence)
