It's not suicide, says Pornthip
SHAH ALAM: Thai pathologist, Pornthip Rojanasunand today ruled out suicide as a cause of death for political secretary, Teoh Beng Hock, after carrying out a second autopsy on him.
In a packed courtroom, she maintained her opinion that Teoh's death was not suicide based on the injuries sustained from the fall and due to lack of evidence confirming that he was conscious after the fall.
"This time round, I will not go for percentages because after carrying out the second autopsy by myself, I'm very sure this is not a case of suicide," she said.
Pornthip drew comparisons between the wounds on Teoh’s neck and spine with previous cases she examined at the Central Institute of Forensic Science under the Ministry of Justice of Thailand where she serves as a director.
“The haemorrhage on the neck I discovered during the autopsy showed that it is bigger than a haemorrhage which would occur due to manual strangulation, while no contusions under the skin in the spinal area.
“As such, it must concluded that these injuries are pre-fall injuries and in my opinion, Teoh suffered more than manual strangulation,” said Pornthip, dismissing manual strangulation as a cause of death.
Pornthip also noted than in her second autopsy performed with the head of pathology of the Sungai Buloh Hospital, Dr Shahidan Md Nor, she did not touch the body but instead directed Shahidan to conduct what she wanted.
Pornthip said that she believed Teoh was unconscious as there was no evidence to show he was conscious before the fall citing the absence of bilateral wrist fractures (which would have been a sign of the victim protecting himself from the fall).
Significance of notes
Meanwhile, when questioned by Teoh’s family lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo, about the significance of note found recently, she said it carries very little impact as they are emotional in nature.
“Despite a delay of one year in producing the note, it could still be of use depending on the condition of the note,” she said. “I, however, will only be looking at the scientific aspects of the case but it would be important for the crime scene investigators to examine the note,” she added.
Pornthip said in her experience as a forensic scientist, any note found mandated strict protocol in handling evidence such as conducting fingerprint dusting and DNA testing immediately after discovery.
Selangor lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar when speaking to reporters after the hearing doubted that such tests were done on the note.
Pornthip: Are you really a lawyer?
MACC prosecution head, Abdul Razak Musa, went ad-hominem on Pornthip, questioning her credentials and findings.
He asked Pornthip if the evidence she presented was based on her imagination, which brought a sharp retort from Pornthip, who was quick to dismiss his suggestion.
Razak then questioned her academic credentials and her medical training. She said the Mahidol University Thailand where she is based is ranked the 220th best university in the world and is Thailand's top-ranked university.
“You have to understand, I work for the rights of the dead and not the Selangor government. My job, is to help the dead,” Pornthip said in her defense drawing, applause from the crowd.
Razak refused to quieten down and accused Pornthip of blatantly attacking the MACC. Lawyer, Malik Imtiaz, however, came to her defense stating that the MACC did not object to a second autopsy carried out by Pornthip and questioned Razak intentions when attacking her for merely reviewing her findings.
Malik also pointed out that MACC was allowed their own witness and asked Razak to conduct himself with propriety.
The spat went on to a point where Pornthip asked Razak: “I want to ask you if you are a lawyer,” having gotten enough of Razak’s questions.
In a tweet just after the court proceedings, MP for Kuala Selangor, Dzulkefly Ahmad said: “It is unfortunate to have to leave but I also had enough of the MACC’s lawyer.
At around 1pm., the court adjourned with the coroner, fixing Sept 1 for a new mention of Teoh’s inquest.
'Political pressure'
Pornthip, earlier this year, was warned against testifying due to 'political pressure' from the Malaysian government but notified the relevant authorities yesterday that she would testify at today's hearing.
In October last year, she concluded that there was an 80 percent chance that Teoh's death was homicide after performing an autopsy on his body for the first time.
Teoh, who was a political secretary to Selangor councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, last year at Plaza Masalam while in the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Selangor.
Also in court for today's hearing were DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang.
FMT
18/08/10
SHAH ALAM: Thai pathologist, Pornthip Rojanasunand today ruled out suicide as a cause of death for political secretary, Teoh Beng Hock, after carrying out a second autopsy on him.
In a packed courtroom, she maintained her opinion that Teoh's death was not suicide based on the injuries sustained from the fall and due to lack of evidence confirming that he was conscious after the fall.
"This time round, I will not go for percentages because after carrying out the second autopsy by myself, I'm very sure this is not a case of suicide," she said.
Pornthip drew comparisons between the wounds on Teoh’s neck and spine with previous cases she examined at the Central Institute of Forensic Science under the Ministry of Justice of Thailand where she serves as a director.
“The haemorrhage on the neck I discovered during the autopsy showed that it is bigger than a haemorrhage which would occur due to manual strangulation, while no contusions under the skin in the spinal area.
“As such, it must concluded that these injuries are pre-fall injuries and in my opinion, Teoh suffered more than manual strangulation,” said Pornthip, dismissing manual strangulation as a cause of death.
Pornthip also noted than in her second autopsy performed with the head of pathology of the Sungai Buloh Hospital, Dr Shahidan Md Nor, she did not touch the body but instead directed Shahidan to conduct what she wanted.
Pornthip said that she believed Teoh was unconscious as there was no evidence to show he was conscious before the fall citing the absence of bilateral wrist fractures (which would have been a sign of the victim protecting himself from the fall).
Significance of notes
Meanwhile, when questioned by Teoh’s family lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo, about the significance of note found recently, she said it carries very little impact as they are emotional in nature.
“Despite a delay of one year in producing the note, it could still be of use depending on the condition of the note,” she said. “I, however, will only be looking at the scientific aspects of the case but it would be important for the crime scene investigators to examine the note,” she added.
Pornthip said in her experience as a forensic scientist, any note found mandated strict protocol in handling evidence such as conducting fingerprint dusting and DNA testing immediately after discovery.
Selangor lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar when speaking to reporters after the hearing doubted that such tests were done on the note.
Pornthip: Are you really a lawyer?
MACC prosecution head, Abdul Razak Musa, went ad-hominem on Pornthip, questioning her credentials and findings.
He asked Pornthip if the evidence she presented was based on her imagination, which brought a sharp retort from Pornthip, who was quick to dismiss his suggestion.
Razak then questioned her academic credentials and her medical training. She said the Mahidol University Thailand where she is based is ranked the 220th best university in the world and is Thailand's top-ranked university.
“You have to understand, I work for the rights of the dead and not the Selangor government. My job, is to help the dead,” Pornthip said in her defense drawing, applause from the crowd.
Razak refused to quieten down and accused Pornthip of blatantly attacking the MACC. Lawyer, Malik Imtiaz, however, came to her defense stating that the MACC did not object to a second autopsy carried out by Pornthip and questioned Razak intentions when attacking her for merely reviewing her findings.
Malik also pointed out that MACC was allowed their own witness and asked Razak to conduct himself with propriety.
The spat went on to a point where Pornthip asked Razak: “I want to ask you if you are a lawyer,” having gotten enough of Razak’s questions.
In a tweet just after the court proceedings, MP for Kuala Selangor, Dzulkefly Ahmad said: “It is unfortunate to have to leave but I also had enough of the MACC’s lawyer.
At around 1pm., the court adjourned with the coroner, fixing Sept 1 for a new mention of Teoh’s inquest.
'Political pressure'
Pornthip, earlier this year, was warned against testifying due to 'political pressure' from the Malaysian government but notified the relevant authorities yesterday that she would testify at today's hearing.
In October last year, she concluded that there was an 80 percent chance that Teoh's death was homicide after performing an autopsy on his body for the first time.
Teoh, who was a political secretary to Selangor councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, last year at Plaza Masalam while in the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Selangor.
Also in court for today's hearing were DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang.
FMT
18/08/10
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