Bloodstains found in 3 dormitory rooms, court told

TAWAU: Investigators found bloodstains in three dormitory rooms at the Lahad Datu Vocational College while probing the murder of student Nazmie Aizzat Narul Azwan, the High Court here heard today.

Police officer Nor Rafidah Kasim, the 22nd prosecution witness, said her team discovered the stains on March 24, two days after the 17-year-old was found dead.

She said the checks started in Room 7 Resak of the hostel, which Nazmie occupied.

“Our inspection found bloodstains on the floor and on the mattress belonging to the victim,” she said when testifying before Justice Duncan Sikodol.

Thirteen students, aged between 16 and 19, have been charged with jointly murdering Nazmie in Room 7 and Room 5 at the college hostel between 9pm on March 21 and 7.39am on March 22.

The charge, framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 34 of the same code, carries the death penalty or imprisonment for 30 to 40 years and not more than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

Nor Rafidah said her team also found bloodstains in Room 5 Belian, where they retrieved a collarless long-sleeved shirt in a bucket and a blanket with bloodstains on a mattress.

She said the final inspection was carried out in Room 7 Belian, where Nazmie was found unconscious, and investigators discovered more bloodstains on a mattress.

Questioned by defence lawyer Zairi Zainal Abidin, she confirmed that the stains were identified through visual inspection, but disagreed that her team failed to use specialised equipment such as a poly light to detect hidden bloodstains.

She acknowledged that even if bloodstains were wiped with a cloth, they would still be visible under a poly light.

During re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Nur Nisla Abd Latif, Nor Rafidah said the investigation report was based on what her team observed at the scene.

She said a poly light is only used to confirm whether visible stains are human blood.

“The poly light is used when we notice bloodstains with the naked eye. It helps confirm whether the stains are human blood,” she said.

The trial continues next Monday.