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View all search resultsDNA test confirms suspect's identity
The newly released result of a DNA test has provided the Bali Police with evidence to strengthen their case against Mochammad Davis Suharto, allegedly a serial rapist responsible for assaulting and raping five children in Bali and seven children in Batam
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T
he newly released result of a DNA test has provided the Bali Police with evidence to strengthen their case against Mochammad Davis Suharto, allegedly a serial rapist responsible for assaulting and raping five children in Bali and seven children in Batam.
The test found that the sample of sperm found on the clothes of two victims was identical to the suspect's DNA.
The police's forensic team took the sample of the suspect's blood and saliva as a comparison.
The police, however, failed to conduct a DNA test using samples of sperm taken from the clothes of three other victims because the samples were reported as damaged. Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Gde Sugianyar Dwi Putra said Sunday that the DNA test result would be valid evidence to present at court. "With the test result, *the suspect's identity* is confirmed," Sugianyar said.
Sugianyar said the police had also conducted a DNA test of three other suspects who were arrested earlier. The three suspects were allegedly involved in other rape cases, also in Denpasar.
"But the result showed that the sample was not identical to their DNA," he said.
On Saturday, Davis underwent a check as part of a psychological test at the Trijata Hospital, after he completed a written test and questioning session held to establish the suspect's psychological condition. The test was carried out to find out the suspect's motive to commit rape, Sugianyar said. "After a written test and questioning, the suspect is being observed to find out his motives."
In the preliminary questioning by the police, Davis confessed that he raped the children after hearing a continuous "magical whisper" that urged him to rape 10 children. The suspect confessed that he had also raped seven chidren in Batam.
According to the police, the suspect might face multiple charges. He would be charged with sentences regulated in the 2002 Child Protection Law, as well as a rape and abduction charge as stipulated in the Criminal Code in Article 285 and 328.
The Child Protection Law stipulates that the suspect can face a maximum 15 years in jail, while Article 285 of the Criminal Code demands 12 years. Davis was apprehended by the police in Kuta area on May 16, three months after the local police launched a massive effort to hunt him down. The assault and rape targeting elementary school students in Denpasar was first reported in February.
Luh Anggreni, Bali Commission of Child Protection deputy chairwoman, said that the DNA test would be strong evidence in court.
She said the five victims have also confirmed that Davis was the perpetrator, after the police confronted them with the 30-year-old man.
"There is no doubt he is the perpetrator," she said.
The commission expects that the legal process against Davis will be conducted properly, and that the suspect is given the maximum sentence. "The suspect should be handed the maximum sentence. He has committed actions that may be devastating to the children's future," she said.
