Kevin Morais did not have any 'restriction' wounds, says forensic specialist

KUALA LUMPUR: The body of former deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais did not have any "restriction" wounds on his wrists, a forensic medicine specialist told the High Court, today.
Dr.Ahmad Hafizam Hasmi, who took the stand to testify, said "restriction wounds" are injuries caused due to restriction on the wrists.
"I did not find any restriction wound on the body," said Ahmad Hafizam, who is attached to the Forensic department at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, during examination-in-chief by DPP Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin.
"Based on the post mortem report, I am of the opinion that the deceased's wrists were tied in a situation where he was no longer moving," said Ahmad Hafizam.
Earlier, Ahmad Hafizam explained that when a person is tied at the wrists and if the person is alive and attempts to release the hands, then such wounds could be found on the wrists.
Ahmad Hafizam said Kevin's body, which was decomposed, was found in a foetal position, with hands and knees bent while his hands were tied at the back with a neck tie.
Ahmad Hafizam, who was present when the body was found on Sept 19, 2015, had conducted a post mortem together with Dr. Nurliza Abdullah and prepared the examination report on Oct 22, 2015.
During cross-examination, lawyer N. Sivananthan raised questions on the word "probable" written for the cause of death in the post mortem report.
"Probable asphyxiation (suffocation) is the cause of death in the report.
"The word "probable" would mean it is not certain, do you agree?" Sivananthan asked but Ahmad Hafizam disagreed.
Ahmad Hafizam said in this case there was clear evidence but it was not sufficient as the body was not in a "preserved" condition.
Lawyer M. Manoharan brought up Kevin's death certificate and said one witness told the court that the cause of death is stated as "unknown".
Ahmad Hafizam said he did not see the certificate and does not know about it.
Manoharan informed the court that the defence had not received the certificate from the prosecution.
Ahmad Hafizam was testifying at the trial of six men charged with the murder of Morais between 7am and 8pm on Sept 4, 2015.
G. Gunasekaran, 48; R. Dinishwaran, 24; A. K. Thinesh Kumar, 23; M. Vishwanath, 26; Nimalan, 23; and Ravi Chandaran, 35, had claimed trial to the charges on Jan 27, 2015.
Army pathologist Colonel Dr R. Kunaseegaran, 53, claimed trial to abetting the six in the murder.