The test results of DNA samples collected from a car allegedly involved in the escape of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra are likely to come out in 30 days, a police source said.
According to the high-ranking source at the Royal Thai Police, forensic officials have gathered materials found in the Toyota Camry and sent them for tests to identify who was in the car.
The source said the test results would help determine if the vehicle was used by Ms Yingluck to flee the country before the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ruled in the criminal negligence case against her related to the rice pledging scheme on Aug 25.
Authorities believed that at least two cars of similar colour were used in the escape; one as a decoy and one as the getaway car. The seized Toyota sedan was likely one of them.
The Toyota Camry was seized late on Thursday night in Nakhon Pathom's Muang district and three police officers were detained for questioning over their alleged involvement in Ms Yingluck's escape.
The vehicle, with the fake licence plate "chor khor 5323", was captured on a surveillance camera on the night of Aug 23 passing a military checkpoint in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo.
Ms Yingluck is believed to have left her house in Bangkok's Bung Kum district on Aug 23 and changed to another vehicle in Min Buri. The car headed to Chachoengsao province via Suwinthawong Road and proceeded to the eastern border.
Meanwhile, Kiattipong Nala, deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Division 5 who is heading an inquiry against the three officers, said the panel will meet tomorrow to prepare.
The panel will be investigating the activities of Pol Col Chairit Anurit and two other officers of lower ranks from the provincial police office in Nakhon Pathom province in relation to Ms Yingluck's escape.
Pol Col Kiattipong said the committee will first examine their statements given following their detention last Thursday before summoning them for more information. He said his team has 60 days to complete the fact-finding inquiry, which focuses on possible disciplinary violations committed by the three officers, one of whom was quoted by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Friday saying he was given an order to help Ms Yingluck flee.
The panel will look into whether the officers behaved improperly by being out of their designated areas without a supervisor's permission, and whether they were authorised and assigned to perform the work or not.
Meanwhile, the Democrat Party Saturday called on the government and police to investigate the issue in a transparent manner and determine who else was involved.
