THE handling of evidence at the scene of an August 16, 2011, farm fire which killed Vice President Joice Mujuru’s husband fell below professional standards, a South African forensic analyst told an inquest in Harare on Thursday.

Poor packaging of exhibits from Ruzambo Farm in Beatrice where former army commander General Solomon Mujuru was found burnt to death may have compromised results of forensic tests, said Seomyatseng Jack Maine of the South Africa Police Service.

Maine tested several items recovered from the scene to see if any accelerants were used, and he told an inquest into Mujuru’s death that he had found no such evidence, although that was not to say any were not used.

“There are a number of factors that could compromise quality of results. These include collection method of debris at the scene and also how it was packaged,” Maine told the inquest which is in its third week of sitting.

"The amount of heat is also critical in that if it is extreme, it could actually wipe out all traces of fire accelerants,” he said, adding that there were professional standards that needed to be observed for the most accurate results.

Maine said the exhibits which contained debris from the fire were packed in ordinary plastic bags, a situation which could have compromised the final results.

Asked if that was the ideal packaging, he said the forensic profession emphasised the use of metal containers that have not been corroded or oven bags similar to the ones used in most households for baking.

"It is possible that the packaging may have compromised the results and also the amount of heat they were exposed to,” he testified.

Maine, who was the 34th witness in the inquest, said they had received the exhibits on September 23, 2011, and among the debris were pieces of cloth, ashes and cotton wool.

Chauke said after the analysis, their findings were that paternity was 99,90 which was way above the standard 99,80 proving that the two were father and daughter.

Mujuru’s family has openly criticised Zimbabwean police for clearing his body for burial on August 20 last year, even as DNA tests were yet to be conducted to prove that the charred remains found at the scene of the fire were that of the former Zanu PF power broker.

Meanwhile, South African pathologist Dr Reggie  Perunel – whom the Mujuru family are keen to see take the stand if the presiding magistrate grants an application made last week – was present throughout Thursday’s hearing.

Coroner Walter Chikwanha said he may allow Dr Perunel to be called to the stand after the evidence of Dr Gabriel Alviero, the Cuba-born pathologist who performed the initial post mortem.