Kota Kinabalu: A senior forensic pathology expert has concurred with forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu’s findings that Zara Qairina Mahathir’s injuries are consistent with fall from height.
Datuk Seri Dr Bhupinder Singh Jeswant Singh, 74, who is an Associate Professor in Forensic and Legal Medicine at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & University College Dublin Malaysia Campus (RUMC) Penang, said he reviewed all the documents provided to him pertaining to Zara’s inquest.
“A meticulous post-mortem examination has been carried out by Dr Hiu, assisted by her team.
“I agree with the findings pertaining to the injuries, both external and internal.
“I concur with the findings and opinion as given by Dr Hiu,” said Dr Bhupinder when reading his written witness statement, Monday.
Dr Bhupinder, who was called by team counsel Datuk Ram Singh, was testifying as the 68th deponent before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.
In his conclusion, Dr Bhupinder cautioned that it was unwise to over-interpret the relationship between observed injuries and the likely height of the fall.
He explained that the pattern of injuries in cases of falls from height depends on the height, body weight, velocity, nature of the surface impacted, orientation of the body at the moment of impact and the elasticity and viscosity of the tissues of the contact body region, with the height of the fall being the main determining factor.
Dr Bhupinder added that examination of clothing was an integral part of any forensic investigation, but no clothing was available in this case.
To a question from Ram, Dr Bhupinder said the photograph taken where Zara was found on the grounds of the hostel, was very important because it showed the position of the deceased after she had fallen down.
“And I think this is the only photograph which is available and which was taken at the scene before she was transported to the hospital.
“It’s a very valuable photograph, I would say for this particular case, because it is the only one we have to show the position into which she had fallen and how she was found lying there. This will also give us an indication of the type of injuries we are looking at,” he said.
Dr Hiu had earlier testified, saying the distribution and nature of the injuries sustained by the deceased are consistent with fall from height.
Dr Hiu also testified that based on scene examination, it is unlikely that the deceased accidentally fell or was pushed from a standing position next to the concrete railing along the corridor.
Meanwhile, Amir said the court could not estimate when the inquest will be completed.
He said he could not estimate but at the moment the court has already fixed hearing date until June.
“I don’t want to say it, we can’t estimate now,” he said, responding to a question by Ram who inquired when the inquest will be completed.
The inquest resumes today (Tuesday).
