A team of Malaysian forensic specialists will travel to Ulan Bator next week to conduct DNA tests on a Mongolian model's son as they search for clues to her grisly murder.

The Mongolian consul in Malaysia Syed Abdul Rahman Al Habshi said that the team will be leaving tomorrow to conduct DNA tests on Altantuya Shaariibuu's three-year-old son to determine if it matches a political analyst linked to her murder, state Bernama news reported.

Abdul Razak Baginda, an influential figure in Malaysian politics, is accused of abetting two policemen in the murder of the 28-year-old woman, in a case that has caused a sensation here.

"I received a call from the police requesting me to make the arrangements for them to go to Mongolia. I have learnt that the test is to determine whether the boy's DNA matches Razak's," Syed Abdul Rahman told Bernama .

He said thay the boy was suffering from a severe brain disease and his condition was deteriorating. Shaariibuu was killed after asking for money from Razak, prompting speculation that he was the father of the boy.

Two police officers, both from the elite Special Action Force, are accused of killing Shaariibuu in Malaysia last October.

Her remains, which had been blown up with explosives, were found in an isolated area in November.

On Friday a Malaysian court brought forward the murder trial to June 4 this year, from March 2008.

Relief for father

The victim's father, Setev Shaaribuu, was reportedly pleased that the court had brought forward the trial.

"It gives me great relief to hear this," Setev Shaariibuu told Bernama in a telephone interview from Ulan Bator. Shaaribuu said he had been haunted by the tragedy every night.

"Only God knows my ordeal. I have strong belief and trust in the Malaysian judicial system and that the perpetrators will pay for their heinous acts," he said in an emotion-choked voice, Bernama reported.

Police have said the woman was kidnapped from outside the home of Abdul Razak, who faces the death penalty if found guilty.

Abdul Razak told the court in January that he had an affair with the model but wanted her out of his life after she demanded money.