Expert Testimony on Baby's Death and Burns
Courtney Gartshore denies culpable homicide.
A baby girl who allegedly died from burns caused by a hairdryer may have already been deceased before sustaining the burns, a trial has been informed.
Courtney Gartshore, aged 28, denies culpable homicide in connection with the death of her three-month-old daughter, Dahlia-Rose, while the infant was in her care in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, in September 2023.
Consultant plastic surgeon and burns specialist Dr Timothy Burge provided evidence at the High Court in Aberdeen, stating his professional opinion that the heat injuries did not cause the baby's death.
Dr Burge explained that the nature of the injuries suggested the baby's head had remained in one position, and he found it difficult to understand how a child experiencing significant pain would not have moved.
Expert Credentials and Case Details
Dr Burge told Murray Macara, KC, defending, that he was listed as an expert witness by the National Crime Agency and had authored numerous publications on burns.
The court was informed that Dahlia-Rose had sustained burns covering 18% of her body surface area.
Providing evidence remotely after reviewing case materials, Dr Burge stated that if the baby had been alive when injured, survival was possible.
"It could have been she was already dead,"he told the sixth day of the trial.
"I take the view the heat injury did not cause the death."
He also noted that he did not know the cause of death.
Cross-Examination on Cause of Death
During cross-examination by advocate depute Alan Cameron KC, prosecuting, Dr Burge was asked whether the heat injury could have caused the death.
"I think it is not likely,"Burge responded.
When pressed with the possibility, Cameron asked,
"But it's possible?"
to which the expert replied,
"Yes,"confirming the possibility.
Additional Trial Information
The trial previously heard that the infant's DNA was found on a hairdryer.
Gartshore faces charges of culpably and recklessly causing Dahlia-Rose to be subjected to heat from the hairdryer while the child was solely in her care.
The charge alleges that Dahlia-Rose's injuries were so severe that they resulted in her death.
It is also claimed that Gartshore had consumed alcohol prior to the incident.
Other charges initially brought against Gartshore have since been dropped by the Crown.
The trial, presided over by Judge Simon Collins, is scheduled to continue on Thursday with closing speeches to the jury.
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- Baby death trial told infant's DNA was found on hairdryer
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- Woman accused of killing her baby daughter with a hairdryer
