Allison's death 'not natural', forensic pathologist tells court
Injuries to Allison's body were not consistent with her falling from a bridge although that could not be ruled out, a forensic pathologist told the court today.
Dr Nathan Milne, whose main role was to conduct the post-mortem examination for the coroner, told the court he did preliminary examination of Allison's body at the Kholo Creek bridge.
Dr Milne said he did not believe she died as a result of falling from the bridge.
He said he would would have expected significant injuries, including fractures, if that had happened.
However, he said, a fall from such a height could not be ruled out as the cause of death.
"Someone falling 14 metres onto that surface, I would expect significant injuries such as fractures -that's if [a person has] fallen onto the ground," Dr Milne said.
However, he said: "If there was a depth of water that she fell into, there may not be any detectable injuries."
Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Michael Byrne, Dr Milne said he could not determine if the possible bruise on Allison's inner-left chest was inflicted before or after death.
As to causes of death, Dr Milne agreed in his final report that he could not rule out alcohol and sertraline (anti-depressant) toxicity.
"I think it's unlikely but I cannot exclude it," he said.
He said could not rule out drowning, even in the absence of diatoms, which are organisms found in the lungs when a person drowns.
Dr Milne said there was no sign of any sexual assault.
Nor was there a history of disease, or evidence of any disease found during the autopsy.
He said the only apparent injury may have been a bruise on Allison's inner-left chest, but he could not rule out it being caused during the autopsy.
Dr Milne said Allison died in the position she was found or her body was put that position within hours of her death.
"Basically the body is lying on the right side, arms sort of upwards," he said.
"My assessment of the death scene is that it was not from a natural death."
He also told the court that changes in state of body were consistent with the 11-day timeframe of Allison's disappearance.
However, he told the court, "you can never give a real accurate answer" on the time of death.