KOTA KINABALU: For eight hours in the autopsy room, lawyer Shahlan Jufri witnessed the meticulous work of a forensic specialist team seeking the truth behind the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital (HQEI) here yesterday.
He was one of the lawyers representing Zara’s mother, Noraidah Lamat, 45, and the only family representative allowed to observe the procedure, which was carried out by four forensic specialists.
According to Sinar Harian, when asked to share his first experience inside a mortuary, fulfilling a request from the family, Shahlan said that everything was still vivid in his memory.
“This was my first time inside the mortuary; usually I only see pictures.
“If I wanted to explain the post-mortem process step by step, I could do so now because it’s still fresh in my mind.
“One of the doctors even said earlier that he was surprised, because I’m the only lawyer who could endure staying in the room.
“I still remember the deceased’s condition, what knives were used, what bowls were used — everything.
“At first, I felt nervous; then I felt a sense of pity because performing an autopsy on a body that had to be exhumed is no easy matter.
“Finally, I felt humbled,” he said upon leaving the mortuary yesterday.
Although he was there for hours, Shahlan said he only stepped out twice for a brief moment to get fresh air in the viewing room.
“I didn’t (leave for the toilet). I went to the viewing room twice to get some fresh air, but less than five minutes later, the doctor called me back in.
“The second time I stepped out for fresh air, again it was less than five minutes before I was called back.
“In the end, I said I had to wait inside; I couldn’t stay outside or in the viewing room,” he added.
Zara’s death has drawn wide public attention amid questions over its cause and calls from various parties for a thorough investigation.
Police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers had previously confirmed receiving the preliminary investigation report on the case.
This led to the exhumation of Zara’s grave on Saturday.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
