Cases of a police nature remain open for years due to a delay in the preparation of the medical report, as a result of which relatives of deceased or victims of violence are waiting.
Files remain pending even since 2020 because the forensic reports have not been forwarded, while a similar picture exists for the cases under investigation for possible medical negligence.
According to a letter recently sent by the Police Headquarters to the Ministry of Health, the following information emerges:
-There are forensic reports that have been pending since 2020
-Evidence from autopsies that will be sent to other laboratories is not cleaned and disinfected in time
-The packaging of the samples of mortuary material is such that some end in the loss or possible contamination of the members of the Police.
As it seems, the problems are created by the lack of medical examiners and the increase in cases for which they are called to express an opinion or carry out a forensic examination. The above was requested to be examined at a meeting which was never settled.
However, a meeting of the Ministers of Justice and Health was recently held where, among other things, the issues with the medical examiners and the problems created by the understaffing of the Forensic Service were raised.
A very serious problem of delay also arises with criminal investigations to investigate any medical negligence. While the complaints are increasing, the investigations are delayed in starting, because no medical officer is indicated who will assist in the direction in which things should move.
While the Police request in their letters the appointment of a medical officer to assist in the investigation, however, no one is indicated either because the doctors refuse or because there is no person available of the specialty requested.
It is noted that at the inter-ministerial meeting at the end of last September, it was decided to strengthen the Forensic Service with the purchase of services from the private sector, so that the forensic experts can respond to the needs of the Police. A change in the protocol for responding to police cases is also expected, while the morgues of other cities are also opening in order to better serve the needs.
Especially for the Forensic Service, it was decided to strengthen its staffing, as well as to purchase services from external partners to meet the increased needs that exist. At the same time, the protocol of actions of the Forensic Service will be updated and modernized and will be forwarded to the Police, in order to clearly define the procedures to be followed and the cases in which the presence or assistance of a medical examiner is required.
A request from the Police for the reopening of morgues in other cities was granted, in order to limit the transfer of cases only to Nicosia. The process will begin with the reopening of the Limassol morgue and the rest will gradually follow to serve non-forensic incidents. Also, forensic cases will continue to be processed in Nicosia.
-Evidence from autopsies that will be sent to other laboratories is not cleaned and disinfected in time
-The packaging of the samples of mortuary material is such that some end in the loss or possible contamination of the members of the Police.
As it seems, the problems are created by the lack of medical examiners and the increase in cases for which they are called to express an opinion or carry out a forensic examination. The above was requested to be examined at a meeting which was never settled.
However, a meeting of the Ministers of Justice and Health was recently held where, among other things, the issues with the medical examiners and the problems created by the understaffing of the Forensic Service were raised.
A very serious problem of delay also arises with criminal investigations to investigate any medical negligence. While the complaints are increasing, the investigations are delayed in starting, because no medical officer is indicated who will assist in the direction in which things should move.
While the Police request in their letters the appointment of a medical officer to assist in the investigation, however, no one is indicated either because the doctors refuse or because there is no person available of the specialty requested.
It is noted that at the inter-ministerial meeting at the end of last September, it was decided to strengthen the Forensic Service with the purchase of services from the private sector, so that the forensic experts can respond to the needs of the Police. A change in the protocol for responding to police cases is also expected, while the morgues of other cities are also opening in order to better serve the needs.
Especially for the Forensic Service, it was decided to strengthen its staffing, as well as to purchase services from external partners to meet the increased needs that exist. At the same time, the protocol of actions of the Forensic Service will be updated and modernized and will be forwarded to the Police, in order to clearly define the procedures to be followed and the cases in which the presence or assistance of a medical examiner is required.
A request from the Police for the reopening of morgues in other cities was granted, in order to limit the transfer of cases only to Nicosia. The process will begin with the reopening of the Limassol morgue and the rest will gradually follow to serve non-forensic incidents. Also, forensic cases will continue to be processed in Nicosia.
