KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- The Coroner's Court was informed here today that there were no traces of tear gas chemical on the body or clothes of taxi driver Baharudin Ahmad, who died during the July 9 illegal assembly last year.

Chemist Dr Mohd Sukri Hassan, 50, said the chemical known as CS (2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) was not detected during the two-week analysis of specimens from Baharudin, which was carried out in stages starting July 13, 2011.

Apart from his clothes, the specimens included swabs from Baharudin's hand, eyes, blood and stomach content.

Dr Mohd Sukri, the inquest's 18th witness, has been attached to the Chemist Department in Petaling Jaya for the past 24 years.

He further informed the court that he carried out a simulation at an air force field in Jugra, with the help of a few Federal Reserve Unit members to detect CS from their eyes, hands, skin and clothes.

The simulation showed that CS could not be detected as the chemical evaporated quickly, whether it was tested the same day or six hours later, he said to Ahmad Jufliz Faiza, who represented the late Baharudin's family.

Responding to Ahmad Jufliz as to whether the CS could not be detected in specimens taken from Baharudin because they were received two days after the incident, Dr Mohd Sukri said," There're two possibilities, either the CS had evaporated or there was no CS in the first place."

Earlier during DPP Kalmizah Salleh's examination-in-chief, the doctor replied that he had received two specimen bags from Constable Mohd Hafiz Ahmad on July 11 last year, which he kept locked in a cold room at the Chemist Department.

Dr Mohd Sukri said it was not possible for the specimens to get mixed up with other exhibits as each item was labelled with a lab sticker and reference number.

Meanwhile, Cpl Sainan Wahab, 48, a photographer with the Dang Wangi police headquarters told the court he took 16 photographs at Avenue K and around KLCC on July 15 last year, after being instructed to do so by investigating officer Sgt Razali Mahmood.

The inquest before Coroner Zulkpli Abdullah resumes on March 20.