THE Kingsmill massacre bore all the hallmarks of a mass execution, an inquest has heard.
Retired state pathologist Prof Jack Crane likened the atrocity to those carried out during ethnic conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo and claimed the number of bullets fired showed the gunmen intended to kill.
He said: "It seems to me that, from a general perspective, what we have here would be in line with execution or assassination."
Professor Crane, a former senior pathology adviser to the UN, said every victim sustained multiple injuries.
"What struck me was the very large number of bullets that were discharged into each body," he said.
"One can only assume that was delivered in order to make sure that the individual was dead.
"Even allowing for the fact that there may have been an automatic weapon there still was a large number of bullets discharged into every body."
Graphic and harrowing details of the extent of the injuries inflicted on the 10 textile workers were given to the court.
Their wounds were consistent with having been lined up facing the minibus and fired upon before being struck again while lying on the ground, it was revealed.
Postmortem examinations found they were all hit in the head, trunk and limbs.
The inquest has previously heard how 18-year-old Robert Chambers, the youngest of the victims, called out for his mother as he lay bleeding to death.
He was struck at least eight times in the body and head, the court heard.
Prof Tom Marshall, who examined the teenager's body, said: "If my interpretation is correct that he was first struck by a bullet that went through his loin fairly superficially and he fell to the ground he would still be capable of calling out for his mother."
Robert Freeburn was riddled with bullets fired from more than one high-velocity weapon. There were five bullet holes in a horizontal line across his shoulders, it emerged.
"I would have thought this pattern was in keeping with somebody spraying somebody while they were standing," Prof Marshall said.
Walter Chapman (35) was hit by at least 13 but possibly 17 bullets and died from wounds to his head, trunk and limbs.
A postmortem report found: "Some struck as, or after he collapsed."
Meanwhile, 20-year-old John McConville suffered a laceration of the brain after he was shot in the head.
He was hit up to eight times elsewhere on his body, the court heard.
Prof Crane, who reviewed the Kingsmill case at the request of the coroner, said Mr McConville's death would have been rapid.
"It is my view that the initial shots were sustained while Mr McConville was standing and then when he falls to the ground he is shot again," he said.
Judge Brian Sherrard, who is presiding over the high-profile case, had earlier cautioned bereaved relatives packed into the public gallery about the distressing nature of the evidence.
Although most people stayed in court as the graphic accounts were given, many choking back tears, a number of people found it too much and stepped outside the courtroom.
The case has been adjourned until June 21.
