Soil from Ross Willox's boots "similar" to earth where Emma Faulds body found

A soil expert told Emma Faulds' murder trial there was a 92% soil match from the shoes and the site where Willox is accused of dumping her remains

Author: Paul KellyPublished 11th May 2021

Soil recovered from the boots of the man accused of murdering Emma Faulds was found to match the earth where her body was found.

Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow heard how a top soil expert was asked to help during the probe into the 39 year-old's death in 2019.

Professor Lorna Dawson CBE said it was much more probable the soil recovered from the Timberland boots worn by Ross Willox “came from the deposition site rather than a similar common bog habitat."

Prof Dawson stated that there was "very strong to extremely strong" support for the findings.

It was revealed there was a 92% soil match from the shoes compared to the soil that covered her body.

A further possible match from the deposition site was found under the wheel arch of a jaguar car.

Earlier the court had heard Emma’s remains were left in an area of Glentrool Forest people “would not normally walk through.

Willox, 41, is charged with murdering Emma at his home in Fairfield Park, Monkton, Ayrshire, on April 28, 2019 by means unknown and then dumping her body.

The court heard Prof Dawson was an expert advisor who had worked with police forces across the UK and in Australia.

She was asked to examine Timberland boots as well as Mercedes and Jaguar vehicles for the presence of soil.

Prosecutor Paul Kearney asked the professor: "You were approached to see if you could provide your expertise in soil science to assist in the search for Emma?"

She replied: "Yes."

Prof Dawson made her findings on June 11.

The court heard the search for Emma then "refocused" on areas that were "wet and boggy" in Glentrool.

Mr Kearney asked the witness: "Police were searching in the general area at the time you provided the information.

"They then altered the search more to this type of environment there?"

She replied: "Near to an area that would create this boggy environment."

Emma was found the next day before the professor visited the site.

Willox denies the charges.

The trial, before judge Lord Mulholland, continues.

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