Accidental fall or push 'unlikely', forensic expert tells Zara Qairina inquiry

KOTA KINABALU: The late Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death is unlikely to have been caused by an accidental fall, nor was she pushed from a standing position at the scene, a forensic expert said on the first day of the inquest.

Forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu, the first witness, testified that on Aug 2, she was requested to provide a professional opinion regarding Zara’s antemortem injuries.

Dr Hiu: I have reviewed her medical records, including radiographs, CT, and CTA scan reports and conducted an examination at the scene on Aug 2 at 12.30pm.

Based on the examination of the scene at Zara’s hostel, Dr Hiu said the measurement from the floor to the topmost horizontal metal rail attached to the concrete railing at the third floor is 118cm.

Dr Hiu: I was informed that the deceased’s antemortem height was 154cm. The difference between the deceased’s height and the topmost horizontal metal rail is 36cm.

She said the height of the metal rail is more than three-quarters of the deceased’s height and is likely above her center of gravity. (In females, the center of gravity is generally located in the pelvic region, often just below the belly button in a standing position).

Dr Hiu: Based on the measurements, in my opinion, it is unlikely that the deceased accidentally fell or was pushed from a standing position next to the concrete railing along the corridor.

Zara was found unconscious on July 16 at her school in Papar and succumbed to her injuries a day later.

Her remains were exhumed for a post mortem which was conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalun on Aug 10.

Police later said the injuries discovered during the post-mortem on Zara were consistent with a fall.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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