Zara Qairina Inquest Reveals Massive Digital Evidence Review, Over 70GB of Data Analysed
KOTA KINABALU, April 16 – The inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir has highlighted the extensive scope of digital forensic analysis, with authorities examining a substantial volume of data from multiple mobile devices.
The Coroner’s Court was told that more than 70GB of data had been extracted from 12 mobile phones, covering messages, images, videos and deleted content.
Scale of Digital Communication Evidence
From a single device, investigators recovered over 96,000 pages of WhatsApp conversations.
Thousands of additional pages of images from platforms such as Apple Photos, TikTok, Telegram and other social media were also documented.
This reflects the scale of digital communication involved in the case.
Advanced Forensic Techniques
Digital analyst Mohamad Zaidi Abu Hassan explained that specialised forensic software was used to process all devices, including phones, SIM cards and memory cards simultaneously.
Ensuring Data Integrity
The court was assured that the extracted data remained unchanged from its original source.
Verification was carried out through random cross-checking between extracted files and original device content.
Damaged Devices Still Under Consideration
Out of 15 devices submitted, three could not be analysed due to physical damage.
However, the possibility of retrieving data from these devices has not been ruled out.
Experienced Forensic Oversight
The analyst has nearly 20 years of experience and has handled thousands of cases involving digital evidence, reinforcing the credibility of the findings.
International Standards Applied
The analysis adhered to recognised standards, including ISO 17025 and guidelines from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Comprehensive Investigation Approach
Authorities are examining a wide range of digital materials to build a clearer picture of events.
This includes both visible and deleted data.
Inquest to Continue
The proceedings will resume tomorrow with further testimony from the same witness.
-wilayah.com.my
