Police can't just photogrpah or order the examination of a person. They need a warrant or consent. His lawyers will have resisted. A refusal to submit to such an examination without a warrant cannot later be used as evidence of a consciousness of guilt on the part of an accused. Usually a forensic pathologist will look for signs of defensive wounds on the corpse and investigators will look for possible defensive wounds on suspects. If GBC has consented to examination then they will have photographed the alleged scratches and measured them, noting the depth at each end and making calculations as to the force and angle of the object(s) which caused the trauma. The data from these examinations can often give a very reliable indication as to the height of the person who inflicted the wounds and whether they were offensive or defensive. Facial and torso scratches are very often seen on assailants who strangle a person either by hand or by means of a ligature. There are very often deeper lacerations on the scalp under the hair. This is less often the case where the strangulation takes place on the ground, but not unheard of. If done while standing up, rater than prone, the assailant wil have had both hands occupied and not have been able to use their kness to restraint the victim's arms. Apart from DNA evidence under the nails of the deceased, there can also be nail polish and other chemicals found in the scratches. Without a ligature it takes quite a while to asppyxiate someone and the panic reflex can give the victim enormous strength from adrenlaine release. If strangled while standing up, there can often also be bruises around the legs and groin of the assailant from blows from the victim's legs.
