Shraddha murder: Process for Aftab's polygraph test begins; cops find blood stains in his flat

The Rohini Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) on Tuesday informed the Delhi Police that it has begun the process for the polygraph test on Aftab Amin Poonawala, the accused in the horrific murder of his live-in partner Shraddha Walker.

"Pre-med sessions and scientific sessions for Aftab's polygraph test are under way," an FSL official was quoted as saying by ANI.

Earlier, a Delhi court had given permission to police for conducting the test on Aftab who allegedly strangled Shraddha, chopped her body into over 35 parts and kept them in a refrigerator for weeks, before dumping them in different parts of a forest area in South Delhi.

According to FSL officials, the process of the polygraph test is time taking. It may go on for a day or even two, depending upon how it proceeds.

"We have initiated the process for conducting the polygraph test. A questionnaire is also set and will be asked. The duration of the test also depends on how many breaks are taken during the procedure," an officer told PTI.

A polygraph test is a non-invasive technique in which no medicine is used. The subject is attached to a machine and questions are asked to him/her about the matter related to any case or incident. The variation in the graph when the subject answers the questions are mapped to draw a conclusion. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), polygraph tests measure a person's "heart rate/blood pressure, respiration, and skin conductivity". The purpose of the test is usually to prove whether or not a person committed a crime. (Read more)

Meanwhile, investigators have found important clues from Aftab's flat after a forensic team broke the bathroom tiles and detected blood stains on them.

The recovered tiles have been sent for DNA examination to ascertain whether those blood stains are of Walkar and the report is expected within two weeks.

Aftab, who was produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate Aviral Shukla in the morning after his five-day custody came ended on Tuesday, told the court that he was not hiding any facts and was cooperating with the police.

According to Aftab's counsel, the court asked him whether he knows what he has done. "And he said everything happened in the heat of the moment, and it was not deliberate,” the defence counsel said.

The court extended his police custody for four more days.

The crime allegedly took place on May 18, weeks after the couple moved to Delhi from Mumbai. However, the bone chilling details of the murder came out after Aftab was arrested on November 11 by the Delhi Police.