Two unidentified DNA profiles were discovered on items allegedly used in a ritual performed on five murder victims at the Nausori Highlands.
Defence counsel Iqbal Khan revealed this while questioning deputy director Organised Crime Acting Superintendent Aiyaz Ali on why investigators did not identify the other individuals whose DNA were also discovered on the items. Four items contained traces of the accused, Mohammed Isoof’s, DNA.
He said that the six-page DNA report pointed out that at least two other people had traces of their DNA on the same items.
When asked by Mr Khan if investigators also questioned the other individuals, Mr Ali said they did not and neither did they identify the possible suspects.
Meanwhile, images retrieved from the late Nirmal Kumar’s mobile phone showed Mr Isoof at the alleged crime scene on August 25, 2019.
Mr Ali said two of the 11 images retrieved from the phone showed Mr Isoof standing at the edge of a cliff where the bodies of Mr Kumar, his wife Usha Devi, their daughter Nileshni Kajal, 34, and their grandchildren Sanah Singh, 11 and Samarah Singh, 8, were later found.
In court, Mr Ali showed several “selfie” images of Mr Kumar at the alleged crime scene.
He also highlighted several CCTV footage tracking Mr Isoof’s movements on August 25 in a rental car before his alleged departure for the Nausori Highlands.
Also taking the stand yesterday was Digital Forensics Unit investigator Savenaca Siwatibau who analysed Mr Isoof’s mobile phone activities on August 25.
He said through their analysis, they were able to discover that the accused had contacted Mr Kumar on the day of the alleged incident.
The trial continues today.
