Semen can remain in rectum for 72 hours, court told
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — A Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) surgeon who examined Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan claimed today that seminal fluids can remain in a person’s rectum up to 72 hours after being sodomised.
“When a person ejaculates into the anus, how long would the fluids remain in anus area before it trickles down?” asked lead prosecutor Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden.
“About 72 hours,” was the answer given by the bespectacled doctor.
Saiful had alleged that he was sodomised by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 26, 2008. He went to HKL for a check on June 28, less than 72 hours after he alleged that he had been sodomised.
Dr Razali Ibrahim told the court he inspected Saiful’s anus 54 hours after the alleged act took place.
However, the doctor maintained that upon examination he found that Saiful’s rectum was empty despite the fact that Saiful had complained that he had not defecated since he was sodomised.
Dr Razali said that the likelihood of seminal fluids remaining in the rectum depended on a person’s anal functions, or when a “mass movement” occurs.
“In some cases, you can still get samples within the 72 hours as the anal canal is not straight,” said the doctor.
The general surgeon also said it was still possible for a person to pass motion and still retrieve seminal fluids from the rectum, as some samples may remain “stuck” there.
This was refuted by Anwar’s defence team, when Sankara Nair asked Dr Razali whether he had the right authority to make such a statement.
The doctor then agreed with Sankara, saying that it was based on his “readings” but he could not recall which documents he had referred which led him to make the conclusion.
“When I did the examination, I did not know what to expect or whether I would find any samples,” said Dr Razali.
He also maintained that Saiful’s rectum was faeces-free, refuting suggestions by the defence that Saiful’s rectum could not be empty if he had not defecated for two days.
“It is not necessary there be faeces in the rectum area… I agree, at that time when I examined Saiful, there was no faeces,” said the doctor.
The trial then continued with the cross-examination of HKL forensic pathologist Dr Siew Sheue Feng, who was fiercely grilled by the defence team within minutes after taking the witness stand.
Dr Siew told the court that there were no signs of injury to Saiful’s anus upon examination, saying that he took down a “detailed” history of Saiful.
Confusion occurred when Dr Siew was asked to explain the medical history of Saiful, whereby Dr Siew kept on repeating the fact that a medical examination was conducted on Saiful after he “complained” of being sodomised by a high-profile public figure.
Sankara and Karpal Singh both took turns to question the timid-looking doctor, who was unable to provide clear answers to the questions directed at him.
Dr Siew’s inability to answer the defence’s questions also prompted Karpal to accuse the doctor of being “programmed” to answer the questions with prepared answers.
