Pathologist willing to speak with President

Forensic pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov said if given the opportunity he will gladly speak to President Anthony Carmona—his neighbour—to tell him about the problems at the Forensic Science Centre at Federation Park, Port-of-Spain. A report compiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (Osha) last November said the existing design of the building was not in conformance with international guidelines or best practice of the OSH Act of 2004.

Examples of this included the absence of a separate post-mortem examination area, no separate viewing room for families and relatives and the use of furniture and fittings not designed for use in a post-mortem room. It was only within recent weeks did employees learn about the findings of the report. Alexandrov said Carmona who is living in the cottage once occupied by former Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs lives obliquely opposite him.

“The apartment I live in is right across the road from the cottage Mr Gibbs used to live in...Mr Carmona who is now the President is my neighbour,” he said. “He is a very decent and modest man and if I get the opportunity I would express my concerns about what is taking place at the centre.” Saying he had high regard for Carmona, Alexandrov said as a former criminal court judge, the President would understand the situation.

One of the major challenges was that bureaucrats were not listening to professionals on how to improve the centre, Alexandrov added. He said he had a one-on-one meeting with former justice minister Herbert Volney who understood the challenges the pathology department faced.

Contacted yesterday, an official from the Justice Ministry said “all issues concerning the centre were being addressed.” Calls made to Justice Minister Christlyn Moore yesterday went unanswered. Text messages were also not returned.