JOHOR BARU: Police today confirmed the death of a 4-year-old boy, from suspected abuse, in Senggarang, Batu Pahat, was due to the impact of a blunt object on the head.
State police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the cause of death was identified from the result of the post-mortem process on the victim's body, which was completed yesterday at the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) Forensic Department.
"The result of the autopsy found that the cause of death is blunt trauma to the head, probably due to hitting a hard object on the head.
"In addition, the doctor also found traces of scratches and bites.
"However, we will wait for the full report of the autopsy results," he told reporters here today.
Kamarul Zaman said this after the Police Volunteer Corps (Kor Suksis) end of training and appointment ceremony of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) at the Johor Contingent Police Headquarters here.
He added that up to 10 people, including several family members, had been summoned by the police to have their statements recorded to assist with investigation into the case.
"We are taking statements of family members and some witnesses who we believe can help with the investigation.
"(And) there will be more individuals who will be called to facilitate with the investigation," he said.
Kamarul Zaman said five suspects, including the victim's sister and brother-in-law who were previously remanded until Saturday, will be extended for further investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
On Monday, the boy died after he was being referred to HSI. The victim felt unconscious at his house in Senggarang, Batu Pahat.
Among the injuries found on the body include new and old burn marks believed to have been caused by a hot or heated metal rod all over the victim's body, including on the private parts, and bite marks on the ears.