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Iloilo’s representative, Janette Garin. INVESTIGATOR FILE PHOTO / LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines – Iloilo’s representative, Janette Garin, proposes the creation of a death investigation system in the country, saying that the case of flight attendant Christine Dacera showed how “weak” the current system is.
According to Garin, the country’s death investigation system needs “to change and adapt,” as noted by several cases in which there appeared to be “poor coordination” and “poor communication” between authorities.
If a proper death investigation system is in place, Garin said more cases can be solved more quickly and accurately.
“This case showed us how weak our system is: statements were made to the media without medico-legal results, then another statement was made after SOCO performed its autopsy; while the family is dissatisfied, so another autopsy was ordered but the body has already been embalmed, “Garin said in a statement.
“Statements should not be given without proper autopsy results and forensic pathology investigation because it becomes confusing for investigators, the media, and our people. Let’s not get ahead of the investigations, “added the legislator.
Garin said premature statements should not be released, especially when there is no evidence to support them yet.
“It is reckless. That’s wrong. Innocent people are wrongly accused and the actual perpetrators run away without a scratch, without remorse, ”Garin said.
“Where are we saying [Where is the saying] ‘innocent until proven otherwise?’ All because we decided to take the case to the court of public opinion ”, he added.
In addition, the legislator said that “sensitive” cases such as Dacera’s death “should not be taken lightly or used for publicity,” adding that a platform is needed to combine science and legality.
Garin said there are only two forensic pathologists in the country: Dr. Cecilia Lim and Dr. Raquel Fortun, who agree that the country lacks a death investigation system.
“The death investigator must be a formally trained forensic pathologist. The bodies of the victims should be taken to laboratories rather than funeral homes where physical evidence is tampered with and erased. A proper and conclusive investigation is never done, ”Garin said.
“We would have solved the case of Christine Dacera sooner if we had had the proper investigation system and if we had used the experts here in the country,” he added.
(We could have solved Christine Dacera’s case ASAP if we had the right system to investigate [these type of cases] and using the [knowledge of our] experts we have here in the country.)
JPV
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