Scientist confirms president was shot

Following a meeting with President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) at the Presidential Office yesterday morning, the US-based forensic specialist Dr. Henry Lee (李昌鈺) confirmed that Chen had sustained a "fresh" gunshot wound to his stomach.

"Our conversation lasted for half an hour and I confirmed that he got a fresh wound on his stomach and the wound was caused by a gunshot," Lee said at a press conference at the National Police Administration's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) yesterday afternoon.

Lee said that he spent almost all day yesterday in the bureau's laboratory, inspecting, reviewing and examining the evidence collected by CIB officers. He established that the jacket Chen wore during the shooting incident bore no sign of gunshot residue.

"The reasons why there was no explosive reaction on his clothes could be various, and I would not presume [to guess] at this moment," Lee said.

During his conversations with reporters, the retired commissioner of Connecticut's Department of Public Safety emphasized again that he would not lead the investigation of the case.

"I only came back to provide forensic analysis to assist local investigators. That is all," said Lee, who grew up in Taiwan.

In response to questions about the latest developments in the investigation, Lee said he could not make more facts public due to a gag order.

When asked whether he has been working on the case under any political pressure and how much he was paid to do the job, Lee said that pressure cannot be avoided. He said he was conducting his investigation for free, because he simply wants to help.

"I am not involved in any political tug of war while I am doing this," Lee said.

He said that he had cancelled two speaking engagements in the US to come to Taiwan.

"That was US$5,000 for each speech," Lee said with a smile.

He then turned to CIB Commissioner Hou You-yi (侯友宜) and said, "You owe me one, pal."

After the 15-minute press conference, Lee flew to Tainan to conduct further research.

Accompanied by his aide Dr. Jacob Loke, retired West Valley police officer Charles Illsley, forensic photographer Calvin Ostler and Connecticut lawyer Austin McGuigan, Lee arrived in Taiwan at 5am to begin his forensic analysis of the assassination attempt on Chen and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮).

They brought along a state-of-the-art device called an "Ultralight" to help analyze potential evidence that might have been missed.

The Ultralight was invented by Illsley and Ostler. According to Illsley, it uses a special light source to illuminate trace elements and other chemical properties that are invisible to the human eye. Remains of blood stains can be detected on a wall, even under a coat of paint. Subcutaneous bruises, bite marks, residue from drugs or firearms, bodily fluids, bone fragments and even inks that have been washed away with acetone can also be detected.