The High Court hearing the murder case of cosmetics millionaire Sosilawati Lawiya and three others, was today told that there were no DNA reports on 30 bone specimens, said to be likely of humans, that were sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.  

The matter was raised by counsel Manjeet Singh Dhillon, who is representing the first accused, N Pathmanabhan, during cross-examination of the prosecution’s 63rd witness, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) forensic consultant Dr Nurliza Abdullah, 46.    

Earlier, Dr Nurliza had told the court that the specimens, which were taken from 2,030 bone fragments found at Sungai Panchau and Ladang Gadong, Banting, alleged to be the location of the murders, were sent to the Chemistry Deparment for DNA analysis.  

She said 18 of the samples were taken by the department’s forensics division director Lim Kong Boon on Sept 15 last year while the remaining 12 six days later by chemist Nor Aidora Saedon.   

Asked by Manjeet Singh whether she was informed of the test results, Dr Nurliza replied in the negative.   

“I suggest to you that no human DNA was found in any of the samples,” said Manjit Singh, to which the witness replied that she did not know.

Manjeet Singh: “Are you shocked that I am telling you this?”

Dr Nurliza:

“No I am not.”

The witness was continuing her testimony on Day 46 of the trial of Pathmanabhan, a former laywer, and three estate workers, T Thilaiyalagan, R Matan and R Khatavarayan, who are charged with murdering Sosilawati, 47, bank officer Noorhisham Mohamad, 38, lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, and Sosilawati’s chauffeur, Kamaruddin Shamsuddin, 44.

Pathmanabhan, 42; Thilaiyalagan, 20; Matan, 21; and Kathavarayan, 31, are alleged to have committed the murders at Lot 2001, Jalan Tanjong Layang, Tanjung Sepat, Banting, between 8.30pm and 9.45pm on Aug 30, 2010.

They have been charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

‘2,030 bone specimens likely to be of humans’

Yesterday, Dr Nurliza had told the court that 2,030 of 2,040 bone specimens found at the two locations were likely to be of humans.

Further questioned by Manjeet Singh whether she had expertise on the bone structure of animals like cows and dogs, Dr Nurliza said it was only of a general nature.

“Besides sending samples of the specimens to be analysed by dentists, radiologists and forensic pathlogists, did you also send them to veterinarians,” asked Manjeet, to which Dr Nurliza answered: “No.”

“I do not know the origin of the bones. I can only say if they had human attributes. If they do not, we classify them as non-human bones,” she said.

The hearing before Judge Akhtar Tahir continues on Nov 8.

- Bernama