Fresh questions over the handling of evidence emerged Thursday in the murder trial of Customs officer Nigel Christian, as a police photographer said key items linking a bag found at Perry Bay to the victim were not present when he documented it.

Under cross-examination, the photographer told the court the bag contained only clothing—an army jacket, an overall and pants—and that he did not see the tea bags and Swiss chocolate prosecutors rely on to tie it to Christian. The bag is central to the prosecution’s case, which alleges it held clothing worn by the killers.

His evidence follows earlier testimony from a crime scene manager, who conceded there was no record of the disputed items when the bag was first recovered. The items were never tested or traced.

The photographer also confirmed he documented a digital recorder recovered from Christian’s vehicle but was unaware of its fate or whether it was examined.

The defence maintains the link between the bag and Christian rests solely on the disputed items. Saleim Harrigan, Wayne Thomas and Lasean Bully are accused of abducting and killing Christian in July 2020. The trial continues Friday.