A kitchen knife was found yards from where a man died in Watford, a court has heard.

The knife, which had a six-inch blade, was recovered from Garsmouth Way on July 28, three days after the death of Andrew Boag.

It was found by a police officer beside the driver's side of the blue Mercedes taxi, near the bonnet, in some bushes set back from the pavement, St Albans Crown Court was told today.

Joanna Caveille, a forensic scientist, told the court she had examined both a brass-coloured knuckle-duster and the knife, which was described as looking “like it comes from a block in a kitchen”.

The jury heard her role was to find out “who handled the knuckle-duster and knife, and whether the knuckle-duster may have been used to strike a person”.

To do this, she told the court she would look for hair, blood and skin samples left on both items, and then determine whether they matched the DNA profiles of either Mr Boag or Stephen Lowe.

However, the court heard that on both the knuckle-duster and the knife, Miss Caveille found no hair, blood or body tissues, which meant no DNA profiles were found.

When asked how it may be possible that no DNA was found, Miss Caveille said: “It may have been handled but no detectable amounts of DNA were transferred. Maybe it hasn't been handled at all or it was subsequently wiped or rained on. It could have been washed off.”

Dr Simon Poole, a pathologist, told the jury Mr Boag suffered a number of injuries which led to his death – the cause of which was noted as head injuries.

Dr Poole conducted the post-mortem examination of Mr Boag on July 25, and told the jury there were a number of bruises, grazes and lacerations on his head, neck, chest, legs and hands.

He also suffered three fractured ribs, the court heard, which caused associated internal bleeding.

Dr Poole said: “The lacerations to the face could have been made by punches. The injuries to the back of the head could have happened from falling backwards onto a hard surface.”

The court also heard the some of the injuries to Mr Boag's face were consistent with being hit by a fist covered by a knuckle-duster.

Stephen Lowe, of Breakspeare Close, Watford, has pleaded not guilty to murder. He has also pleaded not guilty to an alternative count of manslaughter.

The trial continues.