Research submitted to show Adib's injuries inconsistent with assault

INQUEST | Forensics expert Dr Mohd Shah Mahmood (photo, above) today submitted two journal articles that studied injury patterns in criminal cases to support his team's conclusion that firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim injuries were inconsistent with an assault.

The director of National Forensics Medicine told the Coroner's Court in Shah Alam that one of the studies found that 70 percent of victims who were physically assaulted would have injuries on their head, chest and abdomen.

Mohd Shah said that the other study showed similar findings, indicating that between 60 and 70 percent of assault victims would have injuries to their head and chest.

"Based on the studies which were conducted quite thoroughly, if one is physically assaulted, the pattern shows that there would be injuries to the face.

"(But), in Adib's case, the pattern of injuries sustained by Adib is not consistent with the assault.

"And (I submit these) journal articles to support our team's conclusion," he testified in front of Coroner Rofiah Mohamad on the 21st day of the inquest to ascertain Muhammad Adib's cause of death.

Mohd Shah said the studies were conducted between three and five years, and looked at about 300 cases. These include injuries sustained by murder victims.

He testified further that assault victims would have "at least sustained injuries to the face, cheeks, or others".

Mohd Shah, who is the 27th witness called to testify in the inquest so far, submitted a copy of the journal articles to Rofiah at the end of his testimony today, saying that his intention was to assist the court.

The hearing is expected to continue this afternoon with a police investigating officer being called to testify as the 28th witness in the inquest.

Adib passed away on Dec 17 at 9.41pm at the National Heart Institute after succumbing to injuries sustained on the night of the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple riots in USJ25, Selangor on Nov 27, last year.

The inquest was ordered after two conflicting versions of the cause of his death emerged. One version claimed he was hit by a Fire and Rescue Department vehicle, while the other said he was beaten up by a mob.   - Mkini