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I'm sure Mirna died from cyanide poisoning: Forensic doctor
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Slamet Purnomo, a forensic doctor, testifies in the trial of murder suspect Jessica Kumala Wongso at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday. (kompas.com/Garry Andrew Lotulung)
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orensic doctor Slamet Purnomo from Bhayangkara National Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta believes that Wayan Mirna Salihin’s death was caused by cyanide poison, as police investigators initially stated.
"From the CCTV footage, Mirna seemed to be waggling her hands. Cyanide can cause a burning sensation on the tongue. She also convulsed after drinking the coffee, which can be a cause of cyanide poison," Slamet said during a court hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday.
Slamet said his testimony was also based on a toxicologist’s report of a substance found in Mirna’s body.
Cyanide makes the body unable to absorb oxygen and the consequent lack of oxygen in the brain leads to convulsions and shortness of breath, he said, adding that the poison only needs one to five seconds to kill.
Mirna died on her way to hospital from Olivier café in Central Jakarta after drinking a Vietnamese coffee with suspect Jessica Kumala Wongso and another friend.
According to the toxicologist’s report, Mirna drank 2.5 milligrams of cyanide, however the toxicologist only found 0.2 milligrams of cyanide in her duodenum. Citing the toxicologist’s statement, Slamet said, Mirna had consumed a “lethal dose” of cyanide.
“The [amount of cyanide] substance in Mirna's body may have decreased due to her body’s metabolism, considering that the examination was conducted three days after Mirna’s death,” Slamet added. (bbn).
