These are interesting points. I was thinking whether the killer would know that the autopsy would show erosion of the hymen, vaginal hyperemia, etc. Would the killer be thinking about that right after the crime. The adrenaline is surging, thinking is clouded and rushed, a million thoughts racing, what to do with the body, how to stage it, all those many details that took place in a short period of time. Would they really be ticking off in their minds the things that may or may not show up on an autopsy. I think the paintbrush stab was part of the assault, not part of a coverup. There was evidence of blood wiped off her thighs at the autopsy. She had to be alive to bleed. I just don't think it was done after she was dead to hide an assault. The paintbrush part to make the garrotte and the part used to assault her were meant to "go together" in the mind of the perp. The key to the whole crime could come down to the missing part of the paintbrush. We still don't know if the entire 3rd piece was left inside her vagina, do we? There is mention of "birefringent" material- I have read various explanations for that- talc (from latex gloves) or paint flakes from the brush handle, or cellulose (wood). Are some brushes made with beaver fur? I know some use sable. That might be one explanation for the beaver fur that I believe was found in JBR's hands. She may have tried to grab the brush. And the part with the fur is the missing part, right? What a piece of evidence that would be if that fur matched the fur on her hands!
PR's beaver boots - were they ever tested? Or was that one of the items that walked out the door with the Rs that night or with Auntie on her police "supervised" (yeah, right) trips to collect clothes for the funeral.
That reminds me, didn't PR say that a local department store had sent some things so the family could choose clothes for the funeral? I believe PR was discussing her decision to wear that Jacquie Kennedy-like veil and she mentioned that. I think she even mentioned choosing a black suit. If so, why did little sis have to go back to the house (creepy at best) to get funeral clothes?