DNA, Scientific Evidence Examined
By Ignatius Stephen

Bandar Seri Begawan - The fate of 53-year-old car salesman, Richard Chia Kok Hong, accused of murdering a family of three, hung in balance yesterday as the Brunei High Court continued to examine crucial DNA and scientific evidence, which the prosecution says has linked the man to the crime.

Richard was produced in court two months after Royal Brunei Airlines mechanic, Maul bin Jambu, 44, his 37year-old wife Seniwati binti Untong and their adopted daughter, Neena Asmira binte Aziz, aged two, were found murdered in their home in December last year.

There were no eyewitnesses to the alleged murders. The prosecution says that that they are relying on DNA analysis and scientific proof as circumstantial evidence to prove the crime against Richard, who is denying all charges.

The charges against him read that he committed the three offences in December last year at house No C3, Banglo Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan, Kampong Serusop.

Counsels Yusof Halim and Siva Sankaran are defending.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Haji Mohd Yusree Junaidi with DPP Pengiran Jasmine Pg Haji Bahrin appear for the prosecution before Chief Justice Dato Mohammad Saied and Justice Dato Steven Chong.

Presenting scientific proof and DNA analysis in court are Madam Cheong Poh Yee from the Scientific Services Department in Brunei and Miss Ang Hwee Chen, analyst from the DNA Profiling laboratory, Centre for Forensic Science in Singapore.

Cross-examined by Counsel Yusof, Madam Cheong agreed that stains found in Richard's car, assuming all to be blood, even when added together, only came up to a minute quantity.

Counsel Yusof asked: "If a man went into a car with his pants covered in blood, would you be able to see the blood?" Madam Cheong said: "Yes."

Earlier a witness had testified she had seen Richard on the fateful night with his pants covered with a substance that looked like blood.

Key prosecution witness Faridah Yahya, Richard's neighbour, said that she was standing at her verandah on December 15 when she saw a man whom she recognised as Richard.

Re-examining Madam Cheong, DPP Haji Yusree asked: "You agreed with my learned friend that that you expected more blood in the car?

"Yes," she said.

DPP Haji Yusree: "My question is would your answer be different if only the front part of his pants was covered inblood?"

"No. It depends on the amount of blood on the pants. If there was more blood on the pants, I would expect more blood," Madam Cheong said.

DPP Haji Yusree: "Would you agree with me that the front part of the pants would not normally be in contact with the front part of the seat?". "Yes," Madam Cheong replied.

Miss Ang from Singapore told the court her Centre for Forensic Science was an internationally accredited laboratory. Hearing continues.

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