Copies of the detailed DNA analysis obtained from the Chemistry Department are unsuitable for expert scrutiny, a judicial inquest at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court was told today.

The reason: the accuracy of the DNA electropherogram charts cannot be gauged from the black and white photocopies to determine if the body lying in the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre morgue is that of missing police detainee G Francis Udayappan.

The inquest, which has dragged on for more than a year, was further stretched today when Magistrate Nazran Mohd Sham - acting as coroner - ordered the hearing to adjourn so that lawyers representing Francis' mother, G Sara Lily, could obtain original colored printouts of the DNA analysis.

Since the DNA tests failed to prove a match between Sara Lily and the body she claims is her son, her lawyers have suggested that, among other factors, degradation and contamination of the DNA specimens might have caused the mismatch.

Insufficient

However, upon obtaining copies of the DNA report last week, counsel M Puravelan said the lack of coloured details as well as the quality of the copies ruled out any scrutiny.

"It's insufficient ... to provide instruction with respect to the degradation and contamination of the tissue sample. This would be found in the peaks and stratas (in the DNA chart) which are not sufficiently reproduced in the black and white copy," he told Nazran.

"Secondly, the 'loci' of the DNA markers and the 'alleles' are inadequately indicated in the black and white copies. In view of the fact that expert evidence will be examined, the quality of the printout has to be of the highest standard," he added.

Puravelan, in applying for the adjournment, also said he would need time to obtain the original colored printouts from the Chemistry Department as well as to consult with experts advising him on the DNA report.

Nazran fixed Dec 21 for the next hearing.