Homicide autopsies return to Ottawa as new pathologist arrives
03.07.2008 20:01
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
A new forensic pathologist has started work in Ottawa and that means suspicious death autopsies will be performed in the city for the first time in a year and a half. Dr. Jacqueline Pai, who is certified to do homicide autopsies, took up her new post at the Ottawa Hospital Wednesday. A new pathologist from England, Dr. Chris Milroy, will join her at the end of the summer. Dr. Andrew McCallum, the chief coroner for Ontario, said their arrival means almost all forensic autopsies will now stay in Ottawa. Only the most complex cases, involving suspected serial killers, sexual homicides or extensive decomposition, would be sent to the provincial pathology unit in Toronto, where specialists in related fields such as forensic anthropology are available. Ottawa defence lawyer Norm Boxall said he's hopeful about the new pathology hire but will wait to see what kind of work she does. Kingston, Toronto took Ottawa's autopsiesSince January 2007, all homicide, suspicious death, and death in custody autopsies from the Ottawa region have been sent to either Kingston or Toronto. The local forensic unit ceased performing such autopsies after concerns about errors were raised by Ontario's chief forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Pollanen. At the time, McCallum, then regional coroner for eastern Ontario, said publicly that there were staffing issues in Ottawa that were "complex and related to the whole unit." The eastern Ontario forensic unit was headed until 2007 by Dr. Brian Johnston, whose competency was called into question in December by a witness at the Goudge Commission, which is examining the work of another pathologist, Dr. Charles Smith. In January, the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, which represents local defence lawyers, called for an independent review of Johnston's work, after Dr. David Chiasson testified at the Goudge inquiry that Johnston made "unwarranted conclusions" and his reports were confusing and poorly organized. The association cited at least one case where someone was wrongly charged with murder due to Johnston's findings, and later had charges dropped when those findings proved to be incorrect. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal Links2 new pathologists to restart Ottawa forensic unitOttawa lawyers call for review of former head pathologist's workHealth HeadlinesCutting calories could lengthen your life, research showsCutting the number of calories you eat every day could prolong your life, suggests a new study.ADHD drug linked to suicide attempts: Health CanadaA drug commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) disorder in children, teens and adults has been linked to numerous adverse reactions, including suicide attempts, Health Canada has warned.Wine compound may reduce effects of aging: new researchA compound in red wine may slow some of the ravages of aging, reducing bone loss, the formation of cataracts and balance problems, and improving liver and muscle function, new research suggests. Ontario woman gains East Coast accent following strokeA case of foreign accent syndrome recently cropped up in southwestern Ontario, says a new report published by researchers at McMaster University.Watermelon the real passion fruit?Researchers say watermelon has effects on the body similar to the drug Viagra. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHDrug-resistant TBAnatomy of a killer
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