Kevin's fingernails and toenails were missing: Forensic expert
Published on: Friday, April 15, 2016
Kuala Lumpur: Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais' decomposed remains were found with the fingernails and toenails missing, the High Court was told Thursday.Kuala Lumpur Hospital forensic medical consultant expert Dr Nurliza Abdullah, 51, under cross-examination by counsel Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent, said the fingernails and toenails could have slid off the rotting skin.Six men – G. Gunasekaran, 48, R. Dinishwaran, 24, A.K. Thinesh Kumar, 23, M. Vishwanath, 26, S. Nimalan, 23, and S. Ravi Chandaran, 45, are jointly accused of murdering the DPP between 7 am and 8 pm on Sept 4, 2015, between Jalan Dutamas Raya Sentul and No.1 Jalan USJ1/6D, Subang Jaya.
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First accused, Col Dr R. Kunaseegaran, 53, allegedly abetted the six in killing Kevin Morais at the same place, date and time.When asked by Geethan whether the fingernails and toenails were left inside the gunny sack after the body was taken out, Dr Nurliza said she did not see them because of the dirt and skin. "I did not check the gunny sack immediately as I had to hand it to the police to be forwarded to the Chemistry department for further examination," she said.She agreed with counsel's suggestion that she only did a minimal examination on the gunny sack and therefore could not properly explain why the body parts in question were not found. On the possibility that the toenails were left in the socks of the deceased, the witness said they were absent even after an inspection.Counsel: So where did the nails go?
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Witness: I don't know.Counsel: This is strange. Agree?
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Witness: I don't agree.Dr Nurliza who has 20 years of forensic experience, did not however dismiss the probability that nails could still be intact, 14 days after death, depending on the surrounding factors. She also said the estimated time of Kevin Morais' death could not be determined due to the state of decomposition.On the darker discolouration on the deceased's face, neck and chest, she said it was visible only on certain parts of the neck and not on the chest but more obvious on the face. "The darker discolouration on the face is a result of congestion," she said.She did not agree with counsel that in the process of decomposition, the face would always appear to be darker.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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