Forensic expert tells inquest Zara Qairina had to jump or swing from third floor to land where body was found

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 4 — Zara Qairina Mahathir would have had to either jump or swing forward from the third floor for her body to land in the position where she was found, a forensic pathologist told the inquest into her death today.

On the second day of proceedings, forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu testified that, given Zara’s height, she could not have stepped off the ledge of her dormitory building and landed in the spot near the drain where her body was discovered in the early hours of July 16.

“Based on the position and location of where she was found, she had to either jump or hold on to something and swing,” Dr Hiu said.

She explained that it was unlikely Zara, 13, could have landed in the same spot if she had merely stepped off the building’s third-floor concrete railing.

“To sit and fall off the railing, the person would fall forward and land headfirst either directly in the drain or near it. In a standing position, if a person stepped off with one foot, the body will also turn and land headfirst, in or near the drain.

“But to land feet first at that distance, the person would have to stand on the ledge and jump, or swing and let go from the metal grill,” she said.

Earlier, Dr Hiu showed photos from the scene examination on August 2 and demonstrated how the railing’s height, compared with Zara’s, indicated she could not have accidentally fallen over or been easily pushed.

Earlier, Dr Hiu showed photos from the August 2 scene examination and demonstrated how the railing’s height, compared with Zara’s, indicated she could not have accidentally fallen over or been easily pushed.

In her witness statement yesterday, Dr Hiu said the measurement from the floor to the topmost horizontal metal rail attached to the third-floor concrete railing was 118cm. Zara’s height before her death was 154cm, meaning the railing reached more than three-quarters of her height.

She told the court that Inspector Wong Yew Zhung had shown her photos of Zara when she was found at the scene.

“I was informed she was lying face up, with the back of her head on the cement floor where the end of the measuring tape was. There was a marking on the floor to show the alleged position of the head. Her body was slanting with the legs at the garden where the L-shaped ruler marked where the feet were supposed to be,” she said.

“If she was just standing next to the railing, she could not have fallen off even if pushed because the railing was too high, whether from the chest or the back,” she added.

She also confirmed to conducting officer Datuk Badiuszaman Ahmad that there was no evidence of assault in the cause of death.

When questioned by counsel Azhier Farhan, Dr Hiu said there was no indication Zara had been beaten, strangled or physically assaulted.

Azhier: Were there any injuries to suggest impact against the railing or from being pushed with force?

Dr Hiu: No.

Azhier: What injuries would you typically expect if she was pushed over the railing?

Dr Hiu: The railing is too high to forcefully push someone of the deceased’s height over it.

Azhier: Is it scientifically plausible that she simply slipped and fell over the railing? Why or why not?

Dr Hiu: Depends on where she was standing.

Azhier: Would a push strong enough to propel her over the railing be expected to leave additional marks or injuries on her body?

Dr Hiu: Yes, possible.

Azhier is the counsel for four of the five teenagers accused of bullying Zara.

Dr Hiu also testified that had Zara been dragged on the ground near the spot where she was found, she would have sustained graze abrasions from the gravel rocks unless she had only been dragged on the cement floor. Based on the post-mortem results, she said it was unlikely the body had been dragged and placed at the scene.

However, when questioned by the family’s lawyer Rizwandean M. Borhan, Dr Hiu admitted she was not an expert in biomechanics — the study of mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living beings.

Rizwandean asked whether Zara could have sustained the same injuries in scenarios such as sitting on the railing, or being pushed from the buttocks or thighs.

Dr Hiu said the results would vary depending on the circumstances.

“The body is dynamic. If taken by surprise, she may flail mid-air. Depending on her reactions or if she was struggling, she might not land straight,” she said.

Asked whether it was possible for Zara to have fallen over the railing, Dr Hiu said it would depend on whether she could run fast enough to cross it or whether the corridor was wide enough.

The Coroner’s Court adjourned for lunch at noon. Dr Hiu remains the only witness questioned so far.