A Government forensic analyst involved in the investigation at police constable Noel Maitland’s New Kingston apartment in July 2022, testified in the Home Circuit Court on Thursday that human blood was found on drapes inside the home.

The witness testified that six bloodstained marks were found on drapes.

The bloodstained drapes were seized from Maitland’s apartment on July 28, 2022 – just over two weeks after 24-year-old Donna-Lee Donaldson was reported missing. A cushion with visible bloodstains was also taken from the scene.

When asked whether all stains had been tested, the analyst explained that that was not standard procedure.

“The left drape was positive for human blood,” she said. “For our testing purposes, it is not our protocol to confirm every single stain on an item of evidence. However, for what was confirmed, DNA was received.”

Continuing her testimony, the forensic expert said her initial visit to the apartment occurred on July 21, 2022, with a follow-up search planned for July 27. However, that second visit was cut short due to Maitland’s failure to appear. The court previously heard that Maitland was arrested that same day at his attorney’s office in downtown Kingston.

The witness also revealed that the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) had arranged to examine the apartment on July 27, and both teams returned the next day to conduct a more extensive search.

Maitland is currently on trial for the alleged murder of Donaldson and the alleged unlawful disposal of her body.

Donaldson, a 24-year-old social media personality, swimwear business owner, and customer service representative, was last seen on July 11, 2022, when Maitland reportedly picked her up at her mother’s home. Her mother, Sophia Lugg, previously testified that she last heard from her daughter on the morning of July 12. Donaldson was reported missing the following day.