The Teoh Beng Hock inquest was told today that the political aide's body contained no traces of drugs or alcohol at the time of his death.

NONE Zaraiha Awang ( photo ), a chemist from the Chemistry Department, said she came to this conclusion after looking at samples of Teoh's stomach content, blood and urine.

This established that Teoh was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of his death.

There was also a tense moment between lawyer Gobind Singh, representing Teoh's family, and lead prosecutor Tan Hock Chuan over the manner questions were posed to Zaraiha.

Both sides accused the other of badgering the witness.

Tan was also not happy when Gobind asked Zaraiha on her thoughts on the many speculations surrounding Teoh's death.

He asked her if she was aware of talks that Teoh could have been pushed down the window as widely speculated by the public and the media.

Tan objected to this line of questioning, stating that it was unfair on the witness.

Gobind, however, added that he has the right to apply his theory and obtain verification from the witness.

"If we cannot say the word 'ditolak' (pushed), the word 'held', the word 'interrogation', what is point of bringing experts from overseas?" he asked.

Gobind had support in this line of questioning by the lawyers representing the Selangor government and the Bar Council.

Tan responded by stating that he was not objecting to Gobind testing out his theory, only that it was not being directed at the right witness.

"If the witness was a MACC officer, I'm ok... (but) this is a chemist," he said.

No adrenalin test done

NONE Gobind then asked Zaraiha if Teoh's stress level could have been determined if an adrenaline test was conducted.

She replied that it was not within her job scope and that she only did the toxicology test to determine if Teoh was under the influence of alcohol or if he had been drugged prior to his death.

Gobind then asked Zaraiha if the toxicology report would show if Teoh was pushed.

"I'm not experienced to answer that question," was the response from the witness.

Gobind also asked the chemist on the adrenalin content level in Teoh.

Zaraiha agreed that there was a possibility of high adrenalin content if a person was about to fall off or pushed from a high place

However, she said that she did not do an adrenalin test on Teoh.

"Adrenalin is not a type of common drug. It is produced naturally in the body," she said.

Gobind: If police asked for the test?

Zaraiha: Toxicology test does not include adrenalin test.

The AG's Chambers also submitted several items as evidence today, including Teoh's blood-stained trousers, the broken straps of his watch, a neck chain and screws taken from the scene.

Questioned over broken window lock

A new witness, Saiful Fazamil Mohd Ali, 34, from the forensic division of the Chemist Department, was asked to match these items to Teoh.

Teoh's blood-stained trousers was also shown in court when it was tendered as evidence.

Saiful also said that the part of a window lock found near Teoh's body was similar to the ones attached to the windows at the 14 th floor, the floor where Teoh was questioned by the MACC.

However he was unable to confirm if the broken portion was actually from the 14 th floor.

When pushed by Gobind, Saiful said: "I went to the scene not to investigate but to understand the scene".

No entries in log book

The inquest this morning started at 9.20am with yesterday's witness Abdul Rahman Rahim taking the stand again.

The security guard at Plaza Masalam - who was on night duty at the building lobby on the day Teoh was taken in for questioning - was questioned of the visitors' log book kept at the lobby for the purposes of registering visitors.

However, the inquest was informed that the log book had no entries for months. Abdul Rahman, to a question by lead prosecutor Tan, admitted to not updating the book on a regular basis.

He was then followed by the seventh witness, chemist Zaraiha. The inquest is being conducted before coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas.

Next to take the stand was DNA scientist Dr Seah Lay Hong who specialises in serology (analysis of body fluids and body tissues) at the forensic division of the Chemistry Department.

Just before the court adjourned at 1pm, Seah said that 18 exhibits were sent to her for testing, among them were Teoh's hair, nail clippings and the cloths he had on at the time of his death.