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As an inquiry begins into his work as an Ontario pathologist, Dr. Charles Smith issued an apology to those affected by mistakes in his work.
It’s not specific to any particular cases, but it gives some comfort to people who were convicted based on evidence or testimony from the pathologist.
According to Canadian Press, here’s the apology, read into the record on the first day of the inquiry:
"As this inquiry commences and before any testimony is heard, Dr. Smith wishes to publicly acknowledge to the commission that in the 20 years that he performed autopsies at the direction of the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, he made a number of mistakes for which he is truly sorry.
"Dr. Smith sincerely regrets these mistakes and apologizes to all who may have been affected by his errors. Dr. Smith wishes to emphasize that any such mistakes were made honestly and without any intention to harm or obstruct the pediatric death investigations in which he was involved.
"At all times, Dr. Smith endeavoured to use whatever knowledge and expertise he possessed to render accurate pathologic opinions. In retrospect, he understands that in some 20 cases which form the basis of this inquiry, his work, while to the best of his ability at the time, was simply not good enough in certain circumstances."
The subject of many investigative reports claiming sloppiness, tunnel vision and undue involvement in pursuing prosecutions, Smith will testify at the inquiry.
Toronto Star coverage; The Charles Smith Blog; the Wikipedia page; backgrounder on CBC.ca.
Tags: dr. charles smith, pathologist, wrongful convictions, legal, justice, medicine, apology, inquiry, canada, ontario, mistakes, communications, public relations
No consequences? A number of people spent time in prison, in one case at least 11 years, for crimes they did not commit. That person would have been exonerated, but Dr. Smith had misplaced DNA evidence that would have exonerated him. Numerous others were denied access to their children, often this occurred to mothers who were then denied contact with their future children, etc. Children were put into foster homes, and put up for adoption.
The apology may be sincere, but it’s too little, too late. Criminal charges against the doctor should be filed.
Eric – I had not heard about this story. So were there not any negative outcomes resulting from his mistakes? If not, his apology is obviously sincere and from his heart. I say congrats to his level of appreciation to his profession.