KOTA KINABALU: The post-mortem on the late Zara Qairina Mahathir revealed several injuries.
Forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu, the first witness in the inquest into the death of the 13-year-old student, said they were still able to conduct both external and internal examinations despite the body being in a state of moderate to advanced decomposition.
According to her witness statement, which she read yesterday, the deceased had a sutured laceration at the back of the head, with no fractures to the skull or facial bones.
Other findings included:
1. The brain showed liquefactive changes due to decomposition and could not be assessed.
2. The lower part of the left forearm, wrist, hand and fifth finger were bruised, with deformity of the left forearm and wrist.
3. Bruises were found on the right ankle, along with a comminuted fracture of the distal part of the right tibia (the right leg bone) involving the right ankle joint.
4. A laceration on the left foot, bruises on the left ankle and foot, as well as comminuted and oblique fractures of the distal part of the left tibia.
5. A comminuted fracture of the calcaneum (the heel bone of the left leg), with dislocation of the left ankle joint.
6. Fractures of the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae (lower back bones).
7. Haematoma of the psoas muscles.
8. Localised retroperitoneal pelvic tissue haematoma.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
