The Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial continues in the Kuala Lumpur High Court today with the cross-examination of chemist and DNA specialist Dr Seah Lay Hong.

azlanLawyer Ram Karpal Singh is expected to finish the cross-examination by mid-day and this is followed by re-examination by the prosecution.

The court has heard many technicalities on how DNA tests are conducted and how findings are determined. More of this is expected today as another chemist is expected to testify.

The court has not been  filled to its maximum capacity of 70 people as on the average about 60 people, including journalists, are in court.

LIVE REPORT

8.35am: Anwar arrives with wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

8.53am: Defence counsel Sankara Nair, Param Cumaraswamy and Ram Karpal Singh arrive. Aussie DNA specialist Dr Brian Mc Donald is seated among them.

9.01am: Hearing begins with Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding.

9.13am: Seah says the maximum number of alleles (number of repeat units) on the swab marked as exhibit B5 (from the peri-anal area) is four and this indicates that the swab contained DNA from more than two persons.

She explains peri means 'round' and it is the region around Saiful's anus.

NONE9.40pm: Seah says she did not do any statistical evaluation on swab B5. 

9.47pm: Seah (right) says her presence in court is meant to provide an expert opinion on who was present at the scene of the alleged incident and identify those responsible for it. 

10.01am: A journal titled 'Recommendation on the Independent study on Mixture' from the International Society of Forensic Genetics, stating the importance for DNA analysts to view drop outs (the alleles not detected) in their readings and findings, is referred to by Ram and is tendered as evidence.

Seah, who is a member of the society, agrees with what is stated. Ram applies for the journal be marked.

Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff steps into the court room.

10.28pm: Court resumes after a 10-minute break sought by Ram.

10.39am: Seah agrees that she did not follow the international guidelines set in the International Society of Forensic Genetics, of which she is a member, with regard to what is stated in the journal.

"I did not follow this international guideline, but since then it may have changed," she says.

10.44am: Seah disagrees that she was biased in preparing the report or that she had based it on information given to her.

Ram: Based on the international guideline as suggested in this journal, you had not followed or abided by it.

Seah: I disagree.

Judge asks why did Seah did not follow the guideline, to which she does not reply.

11.20am: Ram points one allele which was not reported on B9, the low rectal area.

This does not belong to Saiful or the "Male Y". The reading 28 allele is not reported, although it has a high peak.

When Ram continues to put this suggestion, the chemist refuses to answer.

Ram complains to the judge that the witness does not want to answer the question.

11.27am: Ram suggests that what is stated in the chemist's report is different from what is seen in the graph. 

"It seems half a football team's DNA is found but you chose not to report as it is detected on the underwear, trousers and B5 peri-anal area, and now B9," Ram said.

11.41am: Ram points out inconsistencies in Seah’s chemist report particularly on the issue of hair found by the police.

Ram says the delivery report by police to chemisty department stated that she had received strands of hair from DSP Jude Blacious Pereira that was found located behind the door and on the floor of the said apartment. However, says Ram, in her chemist report she states it to be “pubic hair”.

Seah explains that after examining them she concluded they were pubic hair.

11.49am: Seah says she did not find any stains on the carpet and blue duvet which she received from the crime scene.

These items were earlier tendered as evidence.

11.56am: Seah says she does not know who is the Male Y, the DNA found on Saiful's peri-anal, high rectal and low rectal.

"There was no specimen or reference sample provided," she said.

Ram suggests that the other unidentified male could be anyone, including the investigating officer Jude Blacious Pereira.

12.08am: Court in recess. Hearing resumes at 2pm with the cross-examination of Seah.

2.25pm: Hearing resumes.

2.34pm: Defence team size is slightly expanded. Lead counsel Karpal Singh is present, along with CV Prabhakaran and Melissa Regina Christopher Fernando.

Earlier this morning, only Ram, Sankara and Param were present.

2.37pm: Ram continues with the cross-examination. Seah says she recorded sperm cells collected from swabs marked as exhibits B5, B7, B8 and B9.

Seah says the sperm cells could be seen on the respective cotton buds under a microscope. This was noted on the sperm isolation record. 

3.12pm: Responding to Ram's question, Seah agrees that there would normally be a degradation of the sperm two days after ejaculation into the anus.

NONE3.19pm: Focus now shifts to the semen stains on Saiful's garments.

Ram suggests that if the underwear had been worn together with and come in contact with the trousers, it would have resulted in a semen stain on the trousers as well.

The semen stains had earlier been identified to be located in the front portion of Saiful’s trousers.

Ram: In this case, if there is ejaculation into the anus, would you find the semen stain leaking at the back of the underwear?

Seah: I refuse to answer as this is speculative.

Ram: (Haven’t) you answered speculative questions by the prosecution (before)? Isn't it reasonable to expect? I am suggesting to you it would be reasonable to find the semen stain at the back.

Seah: I can't answer as it is speculative.

Ram: So you agree or disagree?

Seah: Yes.

3.53pm: The focus then moves to the high rectal swab B8, and the witness disagrees that Saiful’s semen is present in his rectum because it is his DNA that is predominant in the swab.

4.15pm: Court adjourns until tomorrow. Ram has concluded his cross-examination and Sankara will continue the questioning tomorrow.