'Teoh could have been injured before fall'

The coroner's inquiry into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, took a dramatic turn today when pathologist and forensic expert Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim admitted that the deceased could have suffered injuries before falling to his death.

Teoh had plunged from the 14th floor of the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building on July 16.

Dr Khairul (right), who conducted the post-mortem on Teoh, testified that he could not ascertain that the multiple injuries found on the latter were caused by the fall from the 14th floor to the fifth.

The Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah pathologist, who was cross-examined by Selangor government appointed lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, also told coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas, that Teoh's death could have occurred as early as 5am.

This was determined when the autopsy was conducted the next day showed signs of rigor mortis (stiffening of muscle) and decomposition.

Malik also asked Khairul whether they had inspected Teoh's stomach contents to determine if he had consumed any food.

To which he replied that no solid food had been detected and this could be because the body takes four hours to completely digest food.

Malik then asked if it showed that Teoh was hypoglycaemic (weak and starving) before his death, but Khairul said that he did not carry out the necessary test to determine this fact.

Questioned if Teoh could have been unconscious at the time of his fall, Khairul admitted the possibility.

Reaction injury: Clenched fist

The doctor added that Teoh may still have been alive after his body hit the floor as his hands were found clenched in a fist.

The lawyer asked if this was indication that Teoh was grabbing or reaching for something to hold onto when falling.

The pathologist said it was possible that his hands were clenched to endure the pain he probably felt when he landed.

Khairul was also asked about Teoh's fractured skull. The pathologist had first concluded that it could have been the result of the fall, but, later agreed with Malik's suggestion that he could have been hit on the head before his fall.

He was also questioned on the speculation that the unknown DNA found on Teoh's waist belt and at the back of his blazer were results of contamination.

Malik: So are you saying the Klang hospital contaminates exhibits?

Khairul: I will have to admit that.

Malik: I am wondering why are steps being taken to undermine the DNA evidence?

Khairul: There is a possibility of contamination

Mailk (left) : Do you know for a fact it was contaminated, you don't know, do you?

Khairul: I don't know.

Psychological background important

At the start of today ‘s inquest, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, acting for Teoh's family, grilled Khairul, on why he had ruled out the homicide theory .

Gobind asked if Khairul had interviewed any of Teoh's family members to determine his psychological state.

Khairul: Yes I did... I talked to Teoh's brother, his sister and his fiancee.

Gobind: What was your question? (And) what did they say?

Khairul: His brother said that the deceased was an agreeable and talkative person... his sister said that he couldn't have taken his own life and so did his fiancee.

Khairul said that Teoh's psychological background was important to note to determine whether his fall was attempted suicide.

Gobind then asked the pathologist, why he did not see it fit to question the MACC officers involved in the interrogation process.

"I put it to you that because you (pathologist) did not question the MACC officers, you thus did not obtain the material facts that resulted in your rejecting the possibility that a homicide had occurred," said Gobind.

"It's not my duty to interrogate the police," said Khairul.

The inquest is to resume tomorrow with University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar and several MACC officers taking the stand.

Later talking to reporters Malik said the post-mortem showed multiple mixed injuries to the chest, and that some of the rib bones could have been broken before the fall is a possibility because the cracks were not symmetrical

"Our theory is that he landed on his feet and immediately his chest and chin slammed on the landing and there would be no head injury," said Malik.

He also said that the second part of the body examined was the anus area, there looking at the penetration, it was very hard to see where injuries were very extreme, and didn't discount the possibility (that there might have been penetration).

The lawyer said there were indications that the abrasions on Teoh's buttocks could have been caused by a thin wooden instrument, but could not pin-point what.

"He (Khairul) had assumed that there were no injuries before the fall and he had matched the trajectory... but it's all speculation as there were no traces or evidence," added Malik.

'Should have questioned MACC officers'

Earlier, Gobind said that the theory that a homicide had occurred in the death of the DAP aide could not be ruled out because of the pathologist's failure to question the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

He said the pathologist should have questioned the MACC officers to look into the possibility of homicide elements being involved in the death of the political aide to a Selangor executive councillor in July.

"I put it to you that because you (pathologist) did not question the MACC officers, you thus did not obtain the material facts that resulted in your rejecting the possibility that a homicide had occurred," Gobind Singh told Khairul.

To this, Khairul pointed out: "It's not my duty to interrogate the police."

The proceedings became more intense when Khairul, the 10th witness, was repeatedly questioned by Gobind Singh as to whether he (Dr Khairul) actually could interrogate the MACC officers.

The pathologist replied: "I'm sorry (coroner), he's playing with words."