Intro:

Update from the murder trial of South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius on Tuesday (1 July).

Script:

Testimony in the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius focused on screams that neighbours heard on the night that the athlete killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned an acoustics expert who had been called by the defence team as part of its effort to suggest some neighbours who said they heard the screams of a woman were wrong, and that they actually heard the high-pitched screams of the double-amputee runner.

Several neighbours called by the prosecution have testified they heard a woman's terrified screams on the night Pistorius shot Steenkamp.

Nel said telling the difference between the screams of a woman and a man was "common sense" but that "we cannot say it's absolutely certain".

SOUNDBITE (English) Gerrie Nel, prosecutor:

"Am I right in saying that it's common sense that more often than not we would be able to identify a woman and a male's voice screaming? But we cannot say it's absolutely certain."

Ivan Lin, acoustics expert (Out of vision): "That's correct."

Nel: "OK, are you happy with the statement I've just made."

Lin: "Yes."

Nel: "OK, thanks."

The defence has suggested the screams came from Pistorius after he realised he had mistakenly shot his girlfriend.

Pistorius faces 25 years to life in prison if found guilty of premeditated murder, and could also face years in prison if convicted of murder without premeditation or negligent killing. He later left court and is free on bail.