Forensic Expert: Nail-like Marks on Neck, Bank Branch Head Suspected of Being Strangled

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A forensic expert from the Indonesian National Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, Astri Astri Megaratri Pralepda, revealed findings of characteristic injuries on the neck of a bank branch head in Jakarta with initials MIP (37), which are consistent with strangulation.

“From the description of the wounds on the neck skin, they match the act, consistent with the act of strangling,” said Astri during the additional witness examination hearing in the alleged kidnapping and murder case of the bank branch head in Jakarta with initials MIP (37) at the Military Court II-08 Jakarta, Cakung, East Jakarta, on Monday.

The injuries on the victim’s neck were found during an external examination and reinforced by autopsy results. According to Astri, there were abrasion wounds in the form of curved lines resembling nail marks on the victim’s neck area.

She explained that pressure on the neck area causes the major blood vessels carrying oxygen from the heart to the brain to become obstructed.

This condition causes the victim to experience hypoxia or oxygen deficiency, leading to death by asphyxiation. In addition to external wounds, the autopsy results showed extensive blood seepage in the internal neck muscles.

“The blood seepage in the neck was very severe,” said Astri.

Nevertheless, Astri stated that she could not confirm the tool used to press on the victim’s neck. Because certain wound patterns can be caused by various objects or methods.

However, she noted that the wound pattern found more closely points to strangulation using hands.

In addition to the neck, the victim also suffered injuries to the face and cheek. Astri said she found line traces on the victim’s right cheek suspected to resemble duct tape marks.

According to her, if that line were extended, its position could cover the victim’s mouth and nose area.

“If that is done simultaneously with the neck compression process, it will accelerate death,” said Astri.

In the hearing, Astri also explained that the victim suffered many wounds from blunt force violence on the head and chest. On the chest area, broken ribs and lung bruising were found, which worsened the victim’s condition.

Although the wounds on the chest and head are considered to accelerate death, Astri emphasised that the dominant cause of death still comes from violence to the neck.

“Because the neck is the pathway for oxygen to the brain,” said Astri.

The forensic expert’s testimony becomes one of the important parts of the trial to uncover the mechanism of MIP’s death.

The defendants in this case are Serka MN (defendant 1), Kopda FH (defendant 2), and Serka FY (defendant 3), who are charged with involvement in the kidnapping accompanied by the murder of MIP.

Previously, a bank branch head assistant in Jakarta with initials MIP is suspected to have become a victim of kidnapping and murder at one of the shopping centres in Ciracas, East Jakarta, on 20 August 2025.

The body was found in Kampung Karangsambung, RT 8/RW 4, Nagasari Village, Serang Baru Subdistrict, Bekasi Regency, West Java, around 05:30 WIB, on 21 August 2025.

A resident in the rice field area first found the body in a condition with hands and feet bound. The eyes were covered with duct tape. The body was immediately rushed to the Indonesian National Police Hospital in Kramat Jati for autopsy as part of the investigation.