The trial of a police officer charged with the double murder in Kovan is not expected to take place until next year.

At a pre-trial conference held in the High Court on Tuesday, lawyers for senior staff sergeant Iskandar Rahmat were told that a large number of exhibits have been sent for DNA analysis. Given the number of exhibits, it is estimated that the analysis will be completed in March next year.

Iskandar has been charged with murdering car workshop owner Tan Boon Sin, 66, and his 42-year-old son, Chee Heong, a businessman, at a terrace house in Hillside Drive on July 10.

The body of the younger Mr Tan was found on the road outside Kovan MRT station in Upper Serangoon Road, after it was dragged for a kilometre under a car.

Iskandar, who has been with the police force for 14 years, was arrested in Johor Baru after a 54-hour manhunt.

The next pre-trial conference for the case has been fixed on Jan 21. Iskandar is represented by Mr Ferlin Jayatissa, Mr Rudy Marican and Ms N. Sudha Nair.