Medical Association of Jamaica
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONDUCTING A FORENSIC PATHOLOGY EXAMINATION
1. The ideal number of pathologists to deal with the high work load should be 12 - 15 with a case load of 3 cases per week.
2. A proper morgue should be build ideally 50’ x 25’ with 3 - 4 tables, good lighting and ventilation
STATE OF ART TOOLS
A. X-Ray Scanner
B. Video Taping equipment
C. Proper photographic equipment
D. A histopathology lab on site
E. Upgraded Personal Protective equipment for staff
3. All post-mortem should be video taped, and the tapes archived for future reference. If the report of a post-mortem is contested then a second post-mortem should be done by another Pathologist. If the report does not resolve the dispute, a forensic committee should be established to review the findings and make a final ruling.
4. All autopsies should be observed by an independent third party, if appropriate permission is given by the Forensic Pathologist. (Ministry of National Security Directive, October 1999). Observers can take notes but no photography allowed.
5. Local pathologists should be trained to increase the pool of forensic pathologists.
Dr Alverston Bailey
January 2006
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