SIBU: Retired pathologist Dr Jamil Dolkadir told the High Court here yesterday the woman allegedly murdered by her husband at their house in Pulau Li Hua last year had died of asphyxiation.
Dr Jamil, a government pathologist before his retirement on Feb 27 (this year), said he conducted an autopsy on Ling Yung Ming and established that she had died due to asphyxia.
The accused in the murder trial is Jacob Tiang, who is also charged with the murder of his daughter Christine Tiang Soon Ai and toddler son Victor Tiang Soon Seng on July 25 last year.
Tiang is also facing a charge for attempted murder of his other son Vincent Tiang, and for attempted suicide.
Dr Jamil told the court that Christine’s death was due to strangulation.
“Based on the autopsy findings on external examination on Ling Yung Ming, both conjunctiva and face were congested; there was no bleeding from nostril, mouth or ear, bruises at lateral left lower neck, left knee, middle right toes, anterior foot, lateral right forearm, and medial right hand posteriorly.
“Fingers of both hands were cyanosed (the skin turned bluish or purple). No other injuries were seen. No limb deformity was seen and old surgical scar above the pubic area was seen,” he said.
He explained that the congested conjunctiva and face showed that the blood from that part of the body could not go back to the heart.
“The evidence of asphyxia is the presence of cyanosis on the fingers of both hands and the presence of congestion of both conjunctiva and face.”
He said the congested conjunctiva could commonly be seen in strangulation, and fingers of both hands were cyanosed due to lack of oxygen.
He also believed that soft object such as clothing, pillow or towel could possibly be used to cause asphyxia.
He told the court that Ling Yung Ming died on the spot.
Dr Jamil also said the bruises at the lateral right forearm and medial right hand posteriorly could be defensive wounds.
“Generally, the wounds at the forehand are defensive but not necessarily. The instinct of human being if being hit by somebody, he will use the hand first to ward off the attack.”
About Christine, he said through his external post-mortem findings, Christine’s conjunctiva were severely congested, her face was congested. There were five finger nails like marks at middle front neck.
There were also bruises at the left anterior shoulder and left knee. There were no bleeding from nostril, mouth or ear, and no limbs deformity was seen and the fingers of both hands were cyanosed.
“The fingernail marks can be caused by fingers and the congestion can be caused by pressing the neck hard with hand or pressing pillow at the mouth and nostril.”
He said that among the evidence to substantiate his findings that Christine was strangled to death were finger nail marks at anterior neck; small hematoma seen below the skin at lower right anterior neck; congestion on the face and conjunctiva; and fingers of both hands were cyanosed.
Charges against Tiang are framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code that carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
The charge for attempted murder is filed under Section 307 of the same code. It carries for a jail term of 10 years, or in this case, 20 years for causing hurt to Vincent while trying to kill him.
For attempted suicide, the charge comes under Section 309 of the same code, which carries a maximum one-year jail, or with fine, or with both.
Tiang is represented by Counsel Ben Lau.
Hearing continues today.