Pathologists directed to 'think dirty,' probe told

Pathologists directed to 'think dirty,' probe told

www.thestar.com

A Kingston pathologist said he ignored a provincial directive to "think dirty" when conducting autopsies on children because doing so could have led him to conclude they'd died of abuse when they hadn't.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Interesting.

Sounds like the Provincial government felt that if there's an outside chance, then you should blame the parents for the death of their chidren. Coming at a case with preconceived notions can only hurt those who have already been hurt the most... the mother and father of the child.

As usual, our nanny state cares more for the quick incarceration of parents than pathology itself.

www.thestar.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

The Protocol under which pathologists were to work...

In 1995, former chief coroner Jim Young issued a new protocol for pathologists, coroners and chiefs of police to use in death investigations involving children. It stated:

"Unfortunately in this day and age CHILD ABUSE IS A REAL ISSUE and it is extremely important that all members of the investigative team 'THINK DIRTY.'

"They must actively investigate each case as potential child abuse and not come to a premature conclusion regarding the cause and manner of death until the complete investigation is finished and all members of the team are satisfied with the conclusion."
www.thestar.com...

All of this is coming out of an active investigation into the findings regarding a disgraced Pathologist.

Dr Charles Smith

Public hearings began today at the inquiry, set up to examine the practice of pediatric forensic pathology in Ontario.

The inquiry will also cover the work of Dr. Charles Smith, who said in a statement read by his lawyer, Niels Ortved, that he was "truly sorry." Smith issued the apology to all those who may have been "affected by his errors."

-snip-

The Ontario government promised to hold the inquiry last April after a review Smith's work found that he had made errors in 20 of 45 child autopsies dating back to 1991.

Criminal proceedings resulted in 13 of those cases.

Commission lawyer Linda Rothstein said the inquiry will try to take a comprehensive look at pediatric forensic pathology and at the specific cases that Smith was involved in.

www.ctv.ca...

Ah Dr. Smith. I am surprised that he wasn't the one that wrote the directive. There will be families recovering from his"work" for many many years to come.

There was a report released by the Ombudsman of NB today in his role as Child and Youth advocate on a death of a little girl through neglect.

www.cbc.ca...

During Mooers's trial, social workers testified they were too overworked to intervene properly before two-year-old died, even though they had fielded 15 calls from people concerned about the girl's well-being.

Maybe that was the Ontario Government's idea. Since the CPS is so over worked and under funded, we'll just call all children's deaths Child Abuse and sort it out later.