DNA of baby found on hairdryer nozzle, infant death trial told

Warning: This report contains details some readers may find distressing

The trial of a woman accused of killing her three-month old daughter has heard that material containing DNA belonging to the baby was found on the nozzle of a hairdryer.

Courtney Gartshore is accused of killing her baby Dahlia-Rose in September 2023 in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

It is alleged that the baby died from “significant and sustained” heat from a hairdryer.

On Friday, the High Court heard from Esther Combe, a forensic scientist with the Scottish Police Authority.

She told prosecutor, advocate depute Alan Cameron, “white crust material gave us a DNA which matched that of Dahlia-Rose Gartshore”.

The material was found on the end of a hairdryer nozzle, which Ms Combe examined.

The hairdryer was found in the bedroom of the Gartshores’ home following the baby’s death.

Ms Combe went on to tell jurors that Gartshore’s DNA was also found on the nozzle.

Asked whether it would be unexpected to find DNA from Courtney Gartshore on the hairdryer she owned, Ms Combe said it would not be unexpected.

The report by forensic scientists could not determine whether the nozzle tip of the hairdryer had been in contact with Dahlia-Rose or with a surface that had her skin or flesh on it.

The report could also not determine what the white crusting material was.

Jurors were also told some graphic details about the injuries and condition of the three-month-old after her death.

The accused wept in the dock as the evidence was given.

Ms Combe also examined a bedsheet which contained staining.

She said fragments of apparent skin were examined through a microscope and found to be skin, one with associated hair.

She went on to say the DNA analysis of that fragment matched that of Dahlia-Rose.

The trial has previously heard of the “unclean” conditions the three-month-old was subjected to prior to her death, including living in a home filled with insects.

Detective sergeant Mark McRobb previously described the cot in the bedroom of Gartshore’s home as looking like it “had been used for storage rather than a child to sleep in”.

Courtney Gartshore is accused of “culpably and recklessly” causing Dahlia-Rose to be subjected to “significant and sustained” heat on her head and body from a hairdryer.

It is alleged that her injuries were so severe that she died as a result.

Gartshore faces a separate accusation of wilfully neglecting Dahlia-Rose.

She denies all the charges against her.

The trial at the High Court in Aberdeen continues.