DNA of two males found on Teoh's clothes

SHAH ALAM: DNA from two people were found on the clothes of Teoh Beng Hock — and one is from an unknown male, the inquest into his death was told.

The mystery individual has been labelled as Male 1.

Tan Hock Chuan, the lead counsel acting for the Attorney-General, said one of the DNA profiles derived from a swab taken from the back of the blazer worn by Teoh matched blood specimen taken from the deceased.

In the spotlight: Press photographers clicking away as the Teoh family wait outside the magistrates court in Shah Alam yesterday. The inquest was postponed to Aug 5. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN / The Star

The other DNA profile belonged to an unknown male, he said.

Tan said another DNA profile from a swab taken from the belt worn by Teoh also consisted of a mixture of male DNA types – one matched Teoh’s blood stain specimen while the other was from an unknown male.

(The inquest was not told whether the DNA was there before or after Teoh’s death.)

Swabs were taken from 102 individuals to determine if any of their DNA matched the unknown person or persons.

“I’ve been told by the chemist that tests on 90 people have been completed and tests on 12 male individuals will be conducted,” he said, adding that two people had also refused to give samples.

This, he added, had delayed the process.

Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, who is holding a watching brief for Teoh’s family, asked Tan: “We wish to know if any of those 90 specimens matched the DNA of Male 1?”

Tan replied that this was best revealed by the experts.

Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas postponed the inquest to Aug 5 to give more time to the lawyers to study all the documents.

It is learnt that police are collecting swabs for DNA testing from all who came into contact with Teoh’s body at the scene or the mortuary.

Sources said among those expected to give samples were state Chief Police Officer Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, the investigating officer and pathologists.

Outside the court, Gobind said it was good that the coroner postponed the inquest as it would give more time for those concerned to focus on the DNA angle and carry out the various tests.

“The results from the unidentified DNA profile will be very telling,” he added.

Gobind said his team would examine the post-mortem reports, chemist profiling, forensic findings, still photographs and closed-circuit TV camera footages with the help of foreign experts.

Also present were Teoh’s father, Leong Hwee, 62, brother Beng Kee, 33, sister Lee Lan, 29, and fiancee Soh Cher Wei.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M. Manoharan were also there.

Lee Lan said the maintained their wish for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to unravel Teoh’s death instead of the inquest. (TheStar)