In the dock: Zayn Rayyan’s parents, Zaim Ikhwan (in wheelchair) and Ismanira arriving for their court appearance in Petaling Jaya. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: A forensics medical expert consultant told the Sessions Court here that Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin’s death was caused by strangulation to the neck and not drowning in water.
Dr Rohayu Shahar Adnan, 54, who previously served in Hospital Sungai Buloh’s forensics medical department, said she conducted an autopsy on the autistic child’s body at noon, Dec 7, 2023, in the presence of investigating officer ASP Mohd Nasir Mustapha.
“Strangulation at the neck caused bruising to the neck muscles and thyroid glands, indicating that it was strong enough to stop oxygen from entering the lungs and brain, causing the deceased’s death.
“Overlapping strangulation marks were found 6cm under the right and left ears. The neck muscles and thyroid glands under the strangulation marks also were bruised. With this, I concluded that death was by ligature strangulation,” she said yesterday.
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 Ikhwan Zahari, in front of judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh, Bernama reported.
Replying to an additional question from deputy public prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin on the cause of the strangulation marks on the deceased’s neck, Dr Rohayu explained that from the forensic medicine’s perspective, there were differences between strangulation and hanging.
“The strangulation is caused by any object formed, such as rope, lanyard or twisted cloth. In fact, the position of the strangulation marks are the same – 6cm under the right and left ear, meaning the marks are horizontal.
“It’s different with hanging, where the marks are oblique as hanging is a passive process, so any object around the neck will be tightened by the weight of the deceased and gravity.”
She said the deceased’s body also displayed signs of blunt and sharp force trauma in addition to strangulation marks to the neck.
“The blunt and sharp force trauma were not fatal but were physical abuse inflicted on the deceased. There were no wounds or injuries from punching or kicking on the victim,” she said.
She noted that an external inspection of the boy’s body indicated that it had begun decomposing, with the skin colour being greenish and flaking, and a bloated abdomen.
Dr Rohayu said the time of death was estimated to be over 24 or 48 hours but less than seven days.
According to Dr Rohayu, foreign objects were found in the deceased’s right bronchus and stomach.
She said the roof of the deceased’s mouth had bruising, indicating that there were foreign objects inserted or shoved forcibly into the mouth.
Dr Rohayu also said there were tears and lesions at the deceased’s anus due to the insertion of blunt objects but they were not fatal.
“Injuries to the deceased were perimortem or immediately before death as there were signs of vital reaction seen under the microscope,” she said.
Ismanira and Zaim Ikhwan, both 30, are charged with neglecting Zayn Rayyan in a manner that could cause physical injury to the victim around the area of Block R of Idaman Apartments, Damansara Damai, to the stream near the apartment around noon, Dec 5 to 9.55pm, Dec 6, 2023.
They are charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which allows a maximum fine of RM50,000 or not more than 20 years in jail or both if found guilty.
Zayn Rayyan’s body was found on Dec 6, 2023, in a stream near his home in Idaman Apartments a day after he was reported missing.
