Forensic tests on aborted fetuses go on
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)