Zara Qairina's Fatal Injuries Consistent With Fall, Not Assault - Pathologist

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- A forensic pathologist who conducted the post-mortem on the late Zara Qairina Mahathir told the Coroner's Court today that the 13-year-old teenager must have either jumped or swung before she was found unconscious near her school dormitory on July 16.

Dr Jessie Hiu, 58, who has been with the Department of Forensic Medicine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here since 1998, said the conclusion was based on the position and location where the teenager was discovered.

She said this in response to a question from the conducting officer, Deputy Head of Prosecution II Datuk Badius Zaman Ahmad, on the second day of the inquest into the death of the Form One student.

In her witness statement yesterday, Dr Hiu explained that based on the height and width of the concrete railing, the height of the horizontal metal rails, and the deceased’s antemortem height, it was possible for the victim to climb the railing, cross over the metal rails, and stand on top of it.

During today’s proceedings, Dr Hiu also verified several photographs produced by Badius Zaman, taken during a demonstration at the scene on Aug 2 by a medical officer who had assisted her during the investigation. 

When questioned by lawyer Azhier Farhan Arisin, representing four juveniles charged with bullying Zara Qairina, Dr Hiu said there was no forensic evidence to support the claim that the victim had been assaulted into unconsciousness before being placed at the scene.

Asked if the injuries resembled those caused by repeated blows from blunt objects, Dr Hiu said that was not seen in the case.

“The fractures sustained in both of her feet were severe and would require a high-impact force, typically seen in falls from a height or road traffic accidents. The fractures to the lumbar vertebrae were caused by internal force, not from an external direct impact,” she added.

According to her, injuries caused by assault generally involve significant force, with extensive overlying skin and soft tissue damage.

Zara Qairina was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here on July 17, a day after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at about 4 am.

On Aug 13, the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) announced an inquest would be conducted into her death after reviewing the investigation report submitted by the police. 

On Aug 8, the AGC ordered the exhumation of her remains for a post-mortem examination.

The hearing continues before Coroner, Sessions Court Judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan.

-- BERNAMA