Papar: The Coroner's Court here was told that Zara Qairina Mahathir was not a child who consistently displayed signs of severe depression, social withdrawal, hopelessness, or suicidal intent. Child Psychologist Dr. Noor Aishah Rosli, 51, who is also a registered counsellor, said these findings were based on an overall assessment of Zara Qairina's developmental profile from birth up to the age of 13.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Noor Aishah's psychological autopsy report indicated no clear history of suicide attempts in the teenager's life before she was found unconscious in her dormitory building on July 16 last year. Drawing on data analysed for the report, Dr. Noor Aishah, with 18 years of experience in clinical child psychology, emphasized that the available data does not strongly indicate that elements such as a sense of not being accepted or feeling like a burden were consistently present before the incident.
The 76th witness explained that the Psychological Autopsy approach was utilized to prepare Zara Qairina's profile, a forensic psychology method aimed at understanding an individual's mental, emotional, social, behavioural, interpersonal, environmental, and psychological state prior to death. Dr. Noor Aishah elaborated that her assessment included evaluating psychological, social, family, school environment, peer relationships, and other factors to provide the Court with a comprehensive understanding of Zara's life.
The materials reviewed in the assessment included photographs, videos, diaries, personal notes, school documents, psychological or psychiatric reports, handwriting analysis reports, forensic document reports, and transcripts of phone conversations between Zara and her mother, Noraidah Lamat. Interviews were also conducted with individuals closely associated with Zara, such as her family, friends, teachers, and wardens.
Dr. Noor Aishah highlighted that a psychological profile of Noraidah was also developed, noting her close relationship with Zara and her understanding of the teenager's development and experiences. The psychologist believed that external, situational, and interpersonal factors at Zara's school and hostel deserved careful examination rather than attributing her death solely to family conflict or psychological struggles.
The psychologist expressed that Zara's relationship with her mother should not be isolated as the primary factor in her death. Instead, it was characterized by attachment, affection, emotional support, and open communication. Dr. Noor Aishah concluded that Zara's overall psychological profile depicted a cheerful, sociable, active, loving, generous, and motivated adolescent with aspirations and a close bond with her mother.
Zara faced typical adolescent challenges, including peer conflicts and hostel pressures, yet these were deemed insufficient to suggest a stable or planned intent to take her own life. Zara Qairina, 13, died on July 17 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being found unconscious near a drain at her school hostel in Papar. The Attorney-General's Chambers ordered an exhumation of her remains for a post-mortem on Aug 8, followed by a formal inquest into her death on Aug 13. The proceedings before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan are set to resume this afternoon.