PAPAR: Datuk Ram Singh, who represents one of the five teenagers charged in the Children’s Court for allegedly bullying the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, said two drop tests of mannequins conducted at the scene of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha, Kinarut, produced varying results, with one appearing more consistent with photographic evidence.
He said three mannequins, two of which were new, were used to reconstruct possible scenarios of the 13-year-old Zara’s fall from a third-floor dormitory.
“The new mannequins, each weighing about 53kg and standing about 153cm tall, were used in the drop tests with water containers added to simulate body weight, while the third was positioned on the ground to replicate Zara’s final posture after the fall.
“The impact from the two drops was not exactly the same. One was given a slight push and the second fell without any force.
“I think the previous test looked more consistent with the photographic evidence 1-7.
“We focused on the demonstrations which are crucial and part of the ongoing inquest to determine the circumstances surrounding Zara’s death at the locus in quo (the actual scene of the incident),” said Ram, who was with team lawyer Joan Goh, after visiting the scene.
The inquest on the sixth day involved visiting the scene in the morning and proceedings in the afternoon.
A 10-vehicle convoy, including two police cars, arrived at the school at 9.15am.
Among those present were coroner Amir Shah Amir Hasan, pathologist Datuk Jessie Hiu, lawyers representing Zara’s family and her father and the five teenagers charged.
About 60 people, including school officials, Papar police and State Fire and Rescue Services Department personnel were present.
The convoy left the school premises at 11.49am after almost three hours.
“One mannequin’s feet were on the ground, with the head slightly on the edge of a drain,” Ram said.
Joan added that the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) team, assisted by the Fire and Rescue Department, conducted several simulations.
“A police officer climbed the structure and demonstrated different possibilities — holding onto the railing, sitting, or standing positions.
“These were not jump demonstrations but simulations of how the fall could have occurred,” she said.
Ram confirmed that the mannequins were provided by the pro bono team.
He said the demo helped provide a clearer understanding of how the fall may have occurred.
“The height from where the body was found and up to the suspended grill is about 10 metres, which is quite high. At least we now better understand the fall from the third floor.
“The demo examined whether it was possible for Zara to cross over or hold onto the suspended beam,” he said, adding he did not see the school principal or warden during the demo.
Ram acknowledged that mannequins cannot fully replicate human density, bones or flesh, but insisted they provided a useful visual reference.
“The mannequin is hollow, so of course the damage was bad. It is only to show the effect of the fall, not to perfectly recreate human force or speed,” he said.
Asked to compare the latest mannequin test with an earlier one that used bricks for weight simulation, Ram said the results were “almost the same, except upon impact.”“For any serious crime, the locus in quo is important. This is not only for this case but for many cases I’ve handled,” he said.
Ram confirmed that one of the mannequins was brought in by forensic experts led by Inspector Maidin, while the other was used earlier in the demonstrations.
To a question, Ram said Zara was found on a cement floor near a drain, but not inside it as the victim would not fit in.
He said Zara was found also not far from the main dormitory.
He added that the demonstration also considered nearby structures, such as an overhead grill and two washing machines.
According to Ram, he did not see any closed-circuit television (CCTV) or public phones at the scene.
He said there were two 7.5kg washing machines with top loader and dismissed a claim that Zara was put inside one of them.
