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14 October 2011
Last updated at 08:12 ET
Pictures of Jo Yeates's body have been shown to jurors in the trial of her alleged murderer.
Bristol Crown Court was told forensic officers used a broom handle to help recover her body from the snow-covered lane near the city where it was found.
Dutch engineer Vincent Tabak, 33, Miss Yeates's neighbour, admits manslaughter but denies murdering the 25-year-old.
Her body was found by dog walkers on Longwood Lane in Failand on Christmas Day - eight days after she disappeared.
Jurors heard Daniel Birch and his wife Rebecca had opened their presents early and were walking their dog on Longwood Lane soon before 09:00 GMT on 25 December 2010.
Bruise marks In a police statement, Mr Birch said he had seen a lump in the snow and what appeared to be a denim jeans pocket on the left-hand verge.
After walking past, he and his wife turned back after Mr Birch realised it was a body.
The witness said the top of Miss Yeates's underwear and part of her bare back had been exposed through the snow.
When pathologist Russell Delaney took the stand, a Dutch interpreter was brought into the dock to ensure Tabak understood medical terms.
The jury was shown pictures of Miss Yeates's body "in a foetal-type position".
They saw a close-up image of her face with blood-stained hair.
Prosecutor Nigel Lickley QC earlier told the court that Miss Yeates, originally from Ampfield in Hampshire, suffered 43 separate injuries during a violent struggle when she was strangled by Tabak.
Dr Delaney told the jury that red bruise marks were shown on her neck and chin and there was blood underneath her nose.
There was also purple bruising above Miss Yeates's right eye, a graze on her cheek and injuries on her nose and lip.
Dr Delaney said: "Bruising only occurs when the heart is beating - so the injuries occurred during life."
Forensic officer Martin Faithfull, who arrived at the scene after police, said he had tried to prevent Miss Yeates's body from thawing.
The jury heard that officers had avoided putting a tent over her body so that evidence would not be compromised.
William Clegg QC, defending Tabak, asked why photographs were not taken of the broom being used to arrange straps underneath Miss Yeates's body so it could be taken away.
Mr Faithfull said: "I can't comment on why that was the case.
"The straps that we used are hooked around the broom so it would have to be the straps that come into contact with the body."
The trial continues.
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Bristol Crown Court was told forensic officers used a broom handle to help recover her body from the snow-covered lane near the city where it was found.
Dutch engineer Vincent Tabak, 33, Miss Yeates's neighbour, admits manslaughter but denies murdering the 25-year-old.
Her body was found by dog walkers on Longwood Lane in Failand on Christmas Day - eight days after she disappeared.
Jurors heard Daniel Birch and his wife Rebecca had opened their presents early and were walking their dog on Longwood Lane soon before 09:00 GMT on 25 December 2010.
Bruise marks In a police statement, Mr Birch said he had seen a lump in the snow and what appeared to be a denim jeans pocket on the left-hand verge.
After walking past, he and his wife turned back after Mr Birch realised it was a body.
The witness said the top of Miss Yeates's underwear and part of her bare back had been exposed through the snow.
When pathologist Russell Delaney took the stand, a Dutch interpreter was brought into the dock to ensure Tabak understood medical terms.
The jury was shown pictures of Miss Yeates's body "in a foetal-type position".
They saw a close-up image of her face with blood-stained hair.
Prosecutor Nigel Lickley QC earlier told the court that Miss Yeates, originally from Ampfield in Hampshire, suffered 43 separate injuries during a violent struggle when she was strangled by Tabak.
Dr Delaney told the jury that red bruise marks were shown on her neck and chin and there was blood underneath her nose.
There was also purple bruising above Miss Yeates's right eye, a graze on her cheek and injuries on her nose and lip.
Dr Delaney said: "Bruising only occurs when the heart is beating - so the injuries occurred during life."
Forensic officer Martin Faithfull, who arrived at the scene after police, said he had tried to prevent Miss Yeates's body from thawing.
The jury heard that officers had avoided putting a tent over her body so that evidence would not be compromised.
William Clegg QC, defending Tabak, asked why photographs were not taken of the broom being used to arrange straps underneath Miss Yeates's body so it could be taken away.
Mr Faithfull said: "I can't comment on why that was the case.
"The straps that we used are hooked around the broom so it would have to be the straps that come into contact with the body."
The trial continues.
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