MANILA, Philippines?A forensic expert who conducted another autopsy on the body of Trinidad Etong on Tuesday said that the contact wound on her temple indicated a suicide.

"The manner of death is the issue ? it is a self-inflicted and intentional injury. Everything would be consistent with suicide," said Dr. Raquel Fortun.

Fortun said she found traces of soot on the scalp and inside the entry wound on the right temple, which she said indicated a contact wound.

Fortun also said the brain was heavily damaged and lacerated because of the ?right to left trajectory.?

Etong, wife of news anchor Ted Failon, died last week because of a mysterious gunshot wound to the head.

The Etong family requested Fortun to conduct the autopsy before dawn Tuesday.

Fortun noted that a contact wound usually characterizes a suicide attempt, as putting the gun close or right next to the skin indicates the intent to inflict injury on him/herself.

She also explained that paraffin tests are not thoroughly reliable and cannot distinguish a shooter from a non-shooter.

Fortun said physical activity such as touching or washing the hands can wash away the minute traces of gunpowder residue on the skin.