Foreign medics point to flaws in local autopsy
June 13, 2007
The pathologists who reviewed the forensic evidence on the late Bob Woolmer have suggested in their reports that there were a number of shortcomings in the manner in which Government pathologist, Dr. Ere Sheshiah, conducted the autopsy.
The foreign pathologists, upon the request of the Jamaican Government, reviewed videotapes and still images of the autopsy and the scene where the body was found.
There were early reports that the hyoid bone in Mr. Woolmer's neck had been broken and there were also bruises on his neck.
Poor preparation
"The videographic and still digital images of the neck dissection clearly show that much of the 'neck bruising' has been created by dissection of the neck in a dissection field that has not been properly prepared for examination (elevating the shoulder to drain blood from the neck prior to dissection)," Dr. Michael Pollanen, chief forensic pathologist for Ontario, Canada, said in his report.
Dr. Pollanen also noted that Dr. Sheshiah failed to dissect the strap muscles of the neck in layers.
"It is clear from the X-ray that there is no fracture of the hyoid bone. This is a straightforward and non-controversial finding," said Dr. Pollanen.
He also noted that photographs of the hyoid bone showed no evidence of deformity that could be related to fracture.
"It does not appear that the international standard approach to examination of the neck was followed, and it is thus difficult to draw the conclusion of throttling (manual strangulation)," said Professor Lorna Martin, head of the Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, in her report....
Author: Gleaner Reporter
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
