Jury Views Graphic Post-mortem Images in Queensland Murder Trial
A forensic pathologist testified that injuries to Frances Crawford were consistent with strangulation, while the defence maintains the death was an accident involving a lawn mower.
A Queensland jury was shown graphic post-mortem photographs of Frances Crawford, whose body was discovered at the bottom of a retaining wall on her rural property in 2024. The former Royal Australian Air Force pilot, Robert Crawford, is on trial for her murder and has pleaded not guilty, asserting the death was an accidental lawn-mower incident.
Forensic pathologist Andrzej Kedziora told the court that his initial impression of scratch marks on the victim’s neck was strangulation, but he could not make a definitive diagnosis because the injuries were non-specific. He noted that the neck injuries could have resulted from clothing, an arm, or other contact while the victim attempted to free herself, and that bruising on the chest might also be consistent with such a struggle.
Kedziora described a 16-centimetre laceration on the top of the victim’s head, stating, "The laceration is quite long… it imitates an incised wound, something done, for example, by a knife, but it’s not. The scalp is a very tough part of the body, and if force is applied it can crack." He said the wound could have been caused by an object striking the head or the head striking an object such as a rock.
The pathologist identified 20-25 abrasions on the neck, bruising on the jaw, chest, face, and right arm, and a missing, bloody fingernail. He indicated that some abrasions appeared post-mortem, based on their yellow colour, while others could have occurred while the victim was alive.
When questioned about the lawn-mower scenario, Kedziora said he had not examined the mower in person and found it difficult to reconcile the injuries with a fall under the mower. He added that unless presented with a more plausible alternative, the injuries remained consistent with strangulation.
The prosecution highlighted the victim’s fractures to the thyroid cartilage and other injuries, while the defence argued the death was a tragic accident. The trial, presided over by Justice Lincoln Crowley, continues.