Forensic tests on aborted fetuses go on

JAKARTA (JP): An ongoing forensic examination of the remains of fetuses and babies exhumed recently from several burial sites in Central Jakarta has revealed that they were from at least 46 fetuses and babies.

Forensic expert Mun'im Idries of Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital said Wednesday that the preliminary conclusion was made after a careful examination of skulls taken from half of the remains collected.

"The estimated ages of the 46 aborted fetuses and babies were between four and seven months old," he said.

They had been buried for less than a year, Mun'im said.

The bones were dug up at sites next to two clinics -- Fajar Pengharapan and Amalia -- and a school for disabled children in Central Jakarta in late November following police findings of alleged abortion practices performed by the two clinics.

The exhumations, conducted jointly by police and a team of forensic doctors, were carried out shortly after the finding of 11 aborted babies and fetuses on Nov. 21 under the Warakas flyover.

According to Mun'im, the medical examination had been time consuming since they had to check whether the bones were of human origin.

"They are similar to chicken or bird bones, so we had to identify them carefully, one by one," he said.

The remains mostly consisted of femurs, ribs and humeri.

The remains found at the exhumations and under the Warakas flyover have brought the total number of suspected abortions at the two clinics to 57.

Police have so far detained the owners, doctors and staff at the two clinics for their alleged roles in the abortions.

"The exhumations and the forensic examination are taking place for the sake of justice."

"We can't file a lawsuit against them (suspects) unless we have evidence, although they have admitted to their misdeeds," Mun'im said.

He promised to immediately reinter the remains properly after he received permission from the National Police Headquarters and the Jakarta Military Police. (04)