Forensic expert: Adib sustained injuries within 13-second window

INQUEST | National Forensic Medicine Institute director Dr Mohd Shah Mahmood said that Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim could only have sustained his injuries within a narrow 13-second window on the night of the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riot last year.

Testifying today at the inquest into the firefighter’s death, he said that this was based on the results of Adib's clinical examination and autopsy, and a 46-second video of the riot which took place on Nov 27.

The 59-year-old medical director, who is the 27th witness to testify at the inquest, was answering a question from inquest conducting officer Hamdan Hamzah.

Hamdan had asked Mohd Shah to pinpoint when Adib had most likely been injured in the video, which was shown in court today.

The video had shown the Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) lorry and Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) van reversing when approached by an angry mob, and ended with the van having turned around to drive away, with its rear end facing the lorry’s own rear.

Hamdan: At which second is the incident (Adib being hit on his left backside by the EMRS van’s open front passenger side door) most likely to have happened?

Mohd Shah: The 26th second.

Hamdan: Do you think the incident happened to the victim before or after the (EMRS) van turned around?

Mohd Shah: Before the van turned around.

Hamdan: At which specific second?

Mohd Shah: Based on the seven (left rear) fractured ribs which were upright, the probability was that (Adib’s left backside) was hit by the edge of the (van’s) door.

Based on the video, he would have come down from the vehicle between the 26th second and 39th second, within a 13-second time frame.

This time frame is very narrow and it takes into account the pattern of injury on the left waist, and the right chest. If taking into account the phase (of time), the fastest is a few seconds.

(When Adib) Came down (from the van’s passenger side) and sustained 'calar' (abrasions from being hit in the left backside) and fell, it would be two seconds for every phase (of the three phases where Adib got hurt).

That 13-second (timeframe of events) is not visible in the video. It takes a maximum of 6 seconds (out of the 13-second time frame) for the victim to sustain the pattern (of injuries) on his body (from being specifically hit on the back by the van’s door).

The video supports the possibility of the injury being sustained by Adib within 13 seconds, before the ambulance (EMRS van) turned around.

Previously, Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) forensic medicine specialist Dr Ahmad Hafizam Hasmi testified before the Coroner’s Court that the results of the autopsy among others point to Adib, 24, more likely being hit by the van’s passenger door, which sent him hurling against a hard object.

Hafizam had said the evidence does not support the allegation that the firefighter had been dragged out of the EMRS van during the riot.

[More to follow] - Mkini