Hafizee Ismail, an assistant superintendent, said an autopsy also confirmed that Zayn had been murdered, with leaves found in the victim’s throat and stomach, Berita Harian reported.

After the autopsy, Hafizee and a team of officers went to Zayn’s home at 10.30pm on Dec 7, 2023, to carry out investigations at the Damansara Damai apartment unit.

“While entering the home, I saw a pair of black shoes and found mud stains at the side of a fridge located in a room in front of the kitchen.

“I ordered the forensic officers to mark the stains and the photographer to take a picture of the shoes for my investigation,” he said.

Zayn’s parents, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari and Ismanira Abdul Manaf, are standing trial on a charge of neglecting their son at Damansara Damai between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023.

The charge, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, carries a maximum penalty of a RM50,000 fine, up to 20 years in prison, or both, upon conviction.

Zayn, six, was found dead in a stream near his home at the Idaman Apartments in Damansara Damai a day after he was reported missing.

Previously, the court was told that the autopsy revealed the victim sustained injuries to his neck and body, suggesting he may have acted in self-defence against the killer.

Forensics expert Dr Rohayu Shahar Adnan said the boy had died due to strangulation, despite injuries found on other parts of his body, including his anus.

Hafizee said Rohayu had showed him that Zayn’s left ear was torn, his left arm had incision marks, while his anus had marks that indicated he was penetrated by an object.

He said the victim also had bruises on his forehead, back, chest, cheeks, eyes, lips and jaw.