KOTA KINABALU, Sept. 17 -- A forensic medical officer told the inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir that the girl's mother declined an autopsy despite being briefed on its importance in determining the cause of death.

At the Coroner's Court today, Dr Logaraj Ratha from Queen Elizabeth Hospital's forensic department said he had explained to Zara's mother, Puan Noraida Lamat, that a post-mortem examination would provide clarity on the circumstances leading to her daughter's death.

"I informed Puan Noraida, in the presence of another family member, about the need and importance of an autopsy. Even though the police did not issue Form Pol. 61 (the Post-Mortem Examination Request Form), a clinical autopsy could still b...