tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post2141063725569353440..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Lab personnel rarely collect crime scene evidence directlyGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-30579779121759266372008-09-26T14:58:00.000-05:002008-09-26T14:58:00.000-05:00Even if labs do a good job of gathering and storin...Even if labs do a good job of gathering and storing evidence, the fact that a single person -- with no oversight or review -- makes the decision as to the cause & manner of death can be a factor leading to wrongful conviction. <BR/><BR/>The Nueces County Medical Examiner, Dr. Fernandez, is admittedly overworked and performing more autopsies than are allowed for certification by the medical board. An article in the local paper this past summer told how he can't handle his caseload. He performed the autopsy on my grand-nephew -- while the police detective was in the room with his police report in hand -- and pronounced the manner of the child's death as a homicide when there was insufficient evidence to support that ruling.<BR/><BR/>Scientists who publish papers in medical journals are required to get peer review. But for ME's -- who have another's fate in their hands -- there is no oversight or review. <BR/><BR/>A representative of Sen Rodney Ellis' office told me that he thought he could suggest that medical examiner complaints could be taken to the Texas Forensic Science Commission, but then said that, after briefly reviewing the charter legislation, it appears that they cannot review autopsy results by medical examiners. <BR/><BR/>So -- no oversight or accountability for medical examiners. <BR/><BR/>This is eye-opening for an average citizen like myself. Those of us who know my niece is innocent all believed in the stuff they teach in high school civics -- that a system of checks and balances is in place to protect the innocent.<BR/><BR/>justicereform@gmail.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15196447578757462751noreply@blogger.com