‘Chemistry Department has own guidelines’

KUALA LUMPUR: A chemist who carried out detailed DNA profiling on samples collected from Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan told the High Court here today that the Chemistry Department has its own set of guidelines in carrying out its analyses.

Dr Seah Lay Hong said even though manufacturers and software providers had their own set of written guidelines, laboratories could adopt their own as recommended by the International Society for Forensic Genetics.

The fifth prosecution witness told the court that she, as a member of the society, closely followed the latest developments and recommendations of the society especially on DNA profiling.

“As a member, I receive a copy of a journal from the society and we at the chemistry department always adopt the international procedures in our laboratory, including in this case,” Seah said when cross-examined by lawyer Ram Karpal Singh.

Today’s proceedings centred around Ram’s line of questioning over how the chemist carried out her detailed analysis on the samples handed over to her by police, especially on sample B5, a swab lifted from the perianal region of the complainant, which contained semen mixture of him (Mohd Saiful), male “Y” and an unknown person.

Seah said she applied bio-system genetic analyser software and DNA view software to arrive at conclusive findings on the samples.

Questioned further by the lawyer whether both software were regularly updated, Seah said they were last updated in 2007.

Highly reliable

Anwar, 63, the PKR adviser and Permatang Pauh MP, is accused of sodomising Mohd Saiful at Unit 11-5-1 Kondominium Desa Damansara, Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara, between 3.01pm

and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

To another question by Ram on how reliable were the 36 pages of electropherogram graphs printed using the two software, Seah said they were highly reliable even though she was not an expert on softwares.

Ram: The computer you use in printing out the graphs functioned according to ordinary course?

Seah: Yes.

Ram: You just assume it run well?

Seah: Disagree.

Ram: Did you ever question irregularities of the machines you used since you don’t have technical knowledge?

Seah: Never doubted it.

Ram: Are you an expert on installing software?

Seah: No, but I’m familiar with the software and have a certificate.

Under intense questioning by Ram, Seah conceded that she also had carried out statistical evaluation to support further findings but never handed it over to the police.

“I agree with you (Ram) that evaluation is crucial but in this case I relied more on DNA profiling which is more conclusive,” she said.

She also agreed with Ram that she referred to blood samples of Mohd Saiful given to her by the police but was not influenced by it.

On the lawyer’s suggestion to Seah that there could be 10 contributors of DNA based on figures appearing in the DNA profile analysis prepared by Seah, she disagreed saying the DNA profile must considered in entirety.

The hearing before justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah continues on Monday.