A new forensic report has cast doubts on the official investigation into the 2008 death of Air Force sergeant Tsai Hsueh-liang (蔡學良), and his mother is reiterating her demand that the Ministry of National Defense (MND) open a new probe.
Tsai’s mother, Yu Jui-ming (尤瑞敏), on Monday said a forensic report published on Wednesday last week concluded that her son’s death on a shooting range was not a suicide, as the military has long claimed.
The report was done by forensic pathologist James Lee (李俊億), a former director of the Ministry of Justice’s Institute of Forensic Medicine.
“My conclusion is that Tsai did not commit suicide,” Lee said on Monday.
Tsai died during target practice on May 9, 2008.
His mother has long believed her son was murdered, alleging he was shot by a fellow officer with a pistol at close range. She has doggedly pressed the defense ministry, including by staging hunger strikes, to open a new investigation.
Lee said evidence in his report contradicts the military’s original findings.
“Tsai’s right-hand fingers did not have any trace of gunpowder, but the original report said he used that hand to pull the trigger,” Lee said. “The muzzle of the gun was against Tsai’s cheek, yet the military report said Tsai jammed the gun inside his mouth to shoot himself. However, no trace of saliva was found on the gun barrel.”
“The bullet pierced the victim’s head, but the military said there were bullet shards left in the head. The bullet wound was inconsistent with that of a rifle, yet the military said the shot came from a T65 rifle,” Lee said.
The evidence showed Tsai could not have pulled the trigger himself, Lee said, adding that he recommended the authorities reopen the investigation.
Yu said there were many suspicious circumstances regarding her son’s death.
“As a mother, am I asking too much for the military to reopen the investigation and to find out the truth of what happened?” she asked.
Defense ministry spokesman Major General David Lo (羅紹和) said he could not comment on the case at this time, but added that “the ministry understands Tsai family’s concerns and respects their opinion.”
“If a court makes an official request to defense ministry, we will comply with the investigation,” Lo said.
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