CANADIAN PATHOLOGIST Michael Pollanen yesterday ruled out strangulation as the cause of death of former Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer, but admitted under cross-examination from Director of Public Prosecutions Kent Pantry that a foreign substance was detected in Mr. Woolmer's body.

He said he was aware that there was a positive toxicology finding relating to Mr. Woolmer's death but was insistent, however, that he was not presented with a copy of the toxicology report.

Dr. Pollanen was one of two persons who testified on the fifth day of the coroner's inquest at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.

After carrying out his review, Dr. Pollanen said he was not able to conclude the cause of death, citing that he was unable at the time.

He said his review was assisted by the reports of Government pathologist Dr. Ere Seshaiah and British consultant pathologist Dr. Nathaniel Cary. When questioned by Mr. Pantry about his knowledge of a toxin called cypermethrin, Dr. Pollanen responded that it is a form of insecticide or herbicide.

While being unable to state the symptoms if contact is made with the substance, he said it could weaken the body's movement.

Under cross-examination from attorney-at-law Jermaine Spence, who is representing the International Cricket Council, Dr. Pollanen said based on X-rays and photographs the conclusion by Dr. Seshiah that Woolmer died from asphyxia caused by manual strangulation, was inaccurate."There is no basis for any lethal injury in this case. No injuries to the neck, head or brain was caused by violence or physical trauma," Dr. Pollanen said.

Dr. Pollannen, who is the chief forensic pathologist for the province of Ontario, said he gave no official cause of death in his report which was filed on June 4.

His report, however, supports analysis by British pathologist Dr. Nathaniel Cary that Woolmer likely succumbed to heart failure. He explained that there were several abnormal findings in the coach's heart including enlargement and disease which he said were the most frequent cause of death in heart patients.

Dr. Pollanen also said Dr. Seshiah was also wrong when he said Woolmer's hyoid bone was broken.

"If it was broken there is reason to believe there was some violence, but in this case it was not broken," he said.

Dr. Pollanen was cross-examined by Pantry, during his over three-hour testimony. When Mr. Pantry suggested that his report may have been influenced by Dr. Cary's analysis, Dr. Pollanen was curt.

"I used my own knowledge. If you look at my report you will see that I used my own observations," he said.The Jamaican police sought Dr. Pollanen's opinion after Dr. Seshiah's theory was rebutted by tests done by Dr. Cary at Metroplitan Police headquarters in London.

Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious in the bathroom of his room at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on the morning of March 18. He was later pronounced dead at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

The previous day, Pakistan were eliminated from the Cricket World Cup by outsiders Ireland.

Dr. Herb Elliott, a member of the local Cricket World Cup medical team, also testified yesterday. The inquest resumes today .