The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will conduct another autopsy on the remains of flight attendant Christine Angelica Dacera, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Wednesday, January 6.

“I was so informed by the OIC (officer-in-charge) chief,” Guevarra told reporters in a text message.

Why does this matter?

The NBI is set to step in as doubts follow the police investigation of the case. The Makati police, which is leading the investigation, has declared Dacera as a rape-slay victim without providing much evidence.

A key document is the autopsy report. The PNP’s initial autopsy found injuries on Dacera’s arms and legs, but no observations pointing to rape have been released. The police have refused to release their autopsy report.

Another autopsy?

It is unclear whether the NBI’s autopsy is the 2nd or 3rd autopsy of Dacera’s body. The Dacera family announced on Tuesday, January 5, that they scheduled another autopsy, but did not disclose who will perform it.

It is worth noting, however, that Dacera has been dead for at least 5 days, and had been embalmed prior to the first autopsy. In an interview with Rappler on Wednesday, January 6, forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun said this would make it more difficult for a new examination to yield better results. – Rappler.com