Dad could have been hit by single blow to neck

On Monday, the court was told that the 67-year-old man might have died from a "manual compression of the neck".

Yesterday, defence lawyer Derek Kang asked the pathologist if he thought older people's bones need less pressure to fracture as they are brittle.

The pathologist said he did not think so.

Not every senior citizen has osteoporosis, a condition that leads to lower bone density, said Health Sciences Authority forensic pathologist Lee Chin Thye.

He also disagreed when asked if a person's thyroid cartilage breaks more easily when calcified.

On the contrary, calcification can make part of a person's bones stronger, he added.

Dr Lee was speaking on the fourth day of the trial involving businessman Mark Tan Peng Liat, who allegedly killed his father, Mr Tan Kok Keng, 67.

The latter was found with a fracture to his thyroid cartilage near the Adam's apple during an autopsy.

Tan allegedly committed the offence in their West Coast Rise semi-detached home at around 5.30pm on Feb 10 last year.

He allegedly restrained his father in a headlock and chokehold, resulting in the latter's death.

Tan was originally charged with murder on Feb 12 last year.

ACCUSED: Mark Tan Peng Liat (left) is on trial for culpable homicide not amounting to murder of his father, Mr Tan Kok Keng (right, in patterned shirt). FACEBOOK/MARK TAN

The charge was reduced to culpable homicide not amounting to murder about eight months later.

Tan is also accused of having 15 airsoft guns without a licence.

On Monday, the court heard that Mr Tan might have died from a "manual compression of the neck".

Yesterday, however, Dr Lee did not rule out the possibility that Mr Tan's thyroid cartilage fracture could have been caused by a single blow to the neck instead of a sustained period of pressure.

But he added that a "significant amount of force" is needed to fracture it.

AUTOPSY

During his autopsy, Mr Tan's body was found with 31 external injuries including bruises on his neck, forehead and limbs.

He also had wounds near his right eye, lower back and upper chest.

On Monday, Dr Lee said: "Many of these injuries are over vulnerable areas, exposed areas, prominent areas, where injuries can be sustained when one is struggling - either by knocking over objects, knocking against parts of the wall, or on the floor."

If convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, Mark Tan could be jailed for up to 10 years, fined or caned.

The trial continues today.