Kuala Lumpur: A forensics medical expert consultant told the Sessions Court here today that Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin’s death was caused by strangulation to the neck and not drowning in water.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Rohayu Shahar Adnan, who previously served in the Sungai Buloh Hospital’s forensics medical department, conducted the autopsy on Zayn Rayyan’s body at noon on December 7, 2023, in the presence of investigating officer ASP Mohd Nasir Mustapha. Dr. Rohayu explained that strangulation at the neck caused bruising to neck muscles and the thyroid glands, which was strong enough to stop oxygen from entering the lungs and brain, leading to the deceased’s death.
Dr. Rohayu, the 27th prosecution witness, was reading her witness statement on the 15th day of the child neglect trial of Zayn Rayyan’s parents, Ismanira Abdul Manaf and Zaim Ikhan Zahari, in front of Judge Dr. Syahliza Warnoh. She detailed that overlapping strangulation marks were found six centimeters under the right and left ears, with bruising observed on the neck muscles and thyroid glands. The forensic analysis concluded that death was due to Ligature Strangulation.
In response to an inquiry from deputy public prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Dr. Rohayu clarified the differences between strangulation and hanging from a forensic medicine perspective. She noted that strangulation results in horizontal marks due to external force, whereas hanging creates oblique marks due to gravitational force. Additionally, the deceased’s body exhibited signs of blunt and sharp force trauma.
The signs of blunt force trauma included bruising on various parts of the body such as the cheek, lips, head, jaw, shoulders, back, chest, and abdomen. Signs of sharp force trauma were also present, including wounds from cuts to the left ear and incised stabs and wounds on the head and arms.
Dr. Rohayu indicated that the sharp trauma on the deceased was likely caused by objects such as scissors or a knife. An external inspection of the body revealed decomposition, with immersion marks on the hands and feet indicating water exposure, but not drowning as the cause of death.
She estimated the time of death to be over 24 or 48 hours but less than seven days, based on the decomposition stage observed. Foreign objects were found in the deceased’s bronchus and stomach, and bruising on the mouth suggested forcible insertion of objects, although these did not cause death.
Dr. Rohayu further reported that tears and lesions at the deceased’s anus were due to the insertion of blunt objects, but were not fatal. The injuries were perimortem, occurring immediately before death, as vital reactions were observed under a microscope.
Ismanira and Zaim Ikhwan, both 30, face charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, for neglecting Zayn Rayyan in a manner that could cause physical injury around the area of Block R of Idaman Apartments, Damansara Damai, from December 5 to December 6, 2023. If found guilty, they could face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to 20 years in jail or both.
Zayn Rayyan’s body was discovered on December 6, 2023, in a stream near his home a day after he was reported missing. The autopsy results suggested murder due to injuries found on his neck and body, along with defensive wounds.