Striking statements from a forensic expert on the Narin Güran murder: 'All evidence will come to light'

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Alkan answered questions from Hürriyet columnist Fulya Soybaş: “What procedures have been performed so far on Narin’s recovered lifeless body? Will the cause and time of death truly be determined in the detailed examination? Could the 19 days spent in water have destroyed any evidence of sexual abuse, if it existed?”

“The entire body was examined for any visible sharp-force or penetrating instrument or weapon injuries, or internal bleeding.”

"Afterwards, samples were taken from the skull; the brain, cerebellum, in the chest; the heart, lungs, and in the abdomen, other organs such as the liver and spleen."

''Since there is also a suspicion of sexual abuse, samples were likely taken from the genital and anal regions as well. In fact, the prosecutor's report states that a total of 91 biological findings and swab samples were collected for molecular and genetic examination.''

"Thus, the autopsy was completed, and burial permission was granted."

“Samples taken from organs such as the liver and lungs, as well as the brain, will be examined in detail under a microscope. We call this a histopathological examination.”

''This examination provides crucial information, such as whether there is a lesion on the body or if the victim was killed by suffocation. Furthermore, tests for toxins will be conducted on samples taken from the liver, kidneys, blood, and urine. DNA analyses will be performed. Then, by synthesizing this data, the cause and time of Narin's death will be determined.''

''The Istanbul Council of Forensic Medicine Presidency will also carry out this procedure. Because all samples will be examined at the main center by the first board; by a team consisting of a forensic medicine specialist as president, 2 forensic medicine specialist members, and one expert each from branches such as general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, and pediatrics.''

“Although 19 days having passed makes the work a bit more difficult, it is not impossible. A conclusion will certainly be reached. The discovery of Narin’s lifeless body in the water is, speaking from a forensic pathologist’s perspective, positive.

Since the water temperature is 23-24 degrees, the decomposition of the body has slowed down. Again, using the same approach, the fact that the lifeless body was placed inside a sack is also positive. Because it was not affected by the current, the evidence has not been lost.”

COULD REMAINING IN WATER FOR 19 DAYS HAVE DESTROYED EVIDENCE OF SEXUAL ABUSE, IF ANY EXISTED?

“It would not. There is currently no indication of this. However, if there was sexual abuse, it will certainly be revealed at the end of the autopsy. If the body had been thrown directly into the water, fish could have eaten it, the current could have damaged the body, and evidence could have been lost; but this is stream water, fresh water. Additionally, because the body was inside a sack, it was not affected by any potential current. For a body found on the 19th day—I am speaking in the language of a forensic pathologist—it was found in the best possible condition. If it had been left outside in the open air, it would have decomposed to the level of 19 days, but because it was in water and in a sack, it has decomposed only to the level of 7-8 days. Therefore, whatever happened will undoubtedly be revealed.”