Panel to review 44 child deaths
The work of a former pathologist at the Hospital for Sick Children will be reviewed in the deaths 44 children dating back to 1988, Ontario's chief coroner said Tuesday.
Dr. Barry McLellan said an expert panel would examine autopsy reports and expert opinions offered in suspicious-death and homicide cases by Dr. Charles Smith to see if his conclusions could be supported.
- View the Review of Cases
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Smith was the head of the hospital's pediatric forensic unit.
His cases came under scrutiny when tissue samples from child-homicide autopsies were reported missing.
An internal audit located all of the tissue samples, but questions remained about conclusions Smith had offered in a number of cases.
Smith was a witness in the case of William Mullins-Johnson, who spent 12 years in prison after being convicted in the sexual assault and murder of his four-year-old niece.
Mullins-Johnson, who has always claimed he was innocent, was released on bail last month after other forensic experts said the girl died of natural causes and had not been sexually abused.
- FROM SEPT. 21, 2005: Mullins-Johnson granted bail after 12 years in prison
On Tuesday, McLellan named four forensic experts to a panel that will review Smith's conclusions in 44 cases.
The panel will give priority to 10 criminal cases in which those convicted are still in custody, or on parole or bail.
It will examine autopsy and consultation reports completed by Smith, as well as crime-scene photos and court transcripts.
Smith was reassigned from performing autopsies before he resigned earlier this year.
He is now employed as a pathologist at a Saskatoon hospital.