DNA from bloodstains in diary matches Zara, chemist testifies

Senior chemist Nor Aidora Saedon testified today that bloodstains on two sheets of diary paper containing Zara Qairina Mahathir’s handwriting matched the Form One student’s DNA.

The 52-year-old senior director at the Chemistry Department’s Centre for Quality Management and Research in Selangor was testifying during the inquest into the student’s death.

She told the Coroner’s Court that the bloodstains were discovered on two sheets of paper labelled Y1 and Y8.

The 17th witness was reading her witness statement on the 18th day of the inquest, before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.

“The bloodstains were consistent with each other and matched the DNA profile derived from Zara Qairina’s bone specimen.

“This indicates that the identified DNA originated from the same individual. The items labelled ‘Y1’ and ‘Y8’ are complementary to one another,” said Nor Aidora.

The witness, who has 26 years of experience as a chemist, further testified that a bloodstain found on an item labelled “WK15(9)(a)” and a trace DNA sample from a book labelled “WK13” were also a match.

She explained that trace DNA comes from transfer contact, which can occur through touch or saliva.

“A mixed DNA profile, comprising one major female contributor and at least two minor contributors, was obtained from the bloodstain on item ‘Y8’, specifically area ‘Y8(i)’, as well as from trace DNA on a stationery bag labelled ‘WK1(a)’, books ‘WK9’ and ‘WK14’ and a blanket labelled ‘WK27’,” the witness stated.

“The DNA profile derived from Zara Qairina’s bone specimen was identified as the major contributor to this mixed profile. The minor contributors, however, could not be conclusively determined,” she testified.

Exhibits handled under strict control

Earlier, Nor Aidora informed the court that on Aug 11, she received a total of 37 exhibits, comprising packaged documents, evidence envelopes, and specimen bags containing cotton swabs with suspected bloodstains, nail clippings, and bone samples from a police officer.

She said on Aug 20, she received an additional evidence bag marked “Y8” from another police officer. She confirmed that all exhibits were received intact and in satisfactory condition.

“Throughout the entire analysis process, all exhibits remained under my direct control and were never left unattended.

“I can confirm that the integrity of the exhibits was maintained, as they were all received with their official seals intact, which I personally broke to commence analysis.

“Upon completion of the analysis, I re-examined each item, resealed them in their original evidence bags, and applied new seals,” she testified.

She further informed the court that the analysis was conducted through a four-step process: DNA extraction, DNA quantification, DNA amplification, and DNA electrophoresis.

The proceeding will resume this afternoon.

Zara Qairina died on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was buried at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim cemetery in Sipitang the same day. She was admitted to the hospital a day earlier after being found unconscious near a drain at the hostel of her school, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha, in Papar at 4am.

On Aug 8, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered her remains to be exhumed for a post-mortem, before announcing an inquest into her death on Aug 13.

- Bernama

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