Trained to use medical evidence in court

MORE than 30 public prosecutors, police investigators, medical staff, and referral partners received training to improve their skills and knowledge on how to use medical evidence to prosecute alleged perpetrators of violent crimes.
This training held in Port Moresby was made possible through a forensic pathology workshop funded under the PNG-Australia Partnership.
Facilitated by Dr Seth Fose, chief pathologist and lawyer with the Port Moresby forensic medicine, the training included an introduction to forensic pathology and its role in criminal investigation, the post-mortem examination process and principles and practices of expert medical witness testimony.
It also included mock trials together with the preparation of visual aids and demonstrative pictures in court.
Prosecutors also took turns to question expert medical witnesses and police in front of a judge using real life cases.
Fose also touched on the importance of maintaining accurate records and documentation throughout the forensic pathology process.
Dr Stephanie Kialo-Davis, a trainee pathologist from the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) who took part in the workshop, said that she felt more confident now to participate in court hearings to give her expert opinion when needed on different cases.
“This training has given me a new insight into how we as medical experts can present our reports when questioned in court, and I am more confident now in doing that,” she said.