Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:13 hours 19 min ago
Russian pathologist:
T&T homicide rate a disaster
Published: 10 Oct 2009
Forensic pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov
in an interview at the Forensic Science
Centre in St James, yesterday.
Photo: KARLA RAMOO
On any given month, approximately 90 autopsies are performed at the Forensic Science Centre in St James. Half of this figure represented homicides, the majority of which were young men between the ages of 17 to 24 who lost their lives to gun violence.
The startling statistics were revealed by senior forensic pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov during an interview at his office yesterday. “On Thursday I did autopsy number 818 at the centre,” Alexandrov said. In practice for some 38 years, Alexandrov was previously stationed in Trinidad in 2007, after being hired by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the capacity of a senior forensic pathologist for the Commonwealth of Caribbean Countries. He was then hired directly by the T&T Government as a senior forensic pathologist in the latter part of 2008.
A native of Russia and a US citizen, Alexandrov cited Mondays as usually the busiest day at the centre given the high rate of killings which occur over the weekend. “This Monday I started at eight and I left at eight in the night. I worked a 12-hour shift without any lunch, taking any break or even just to smoke a cigarette,” Alexandrov said. He said on Monday he performed ten autopsies five of which were homicides. According to Alexandrov, apart from him, the only other forensic pathologist working in Trinidad was Dr Eastlyn McDonald-Borris. Saying this was insufficient, Alexandrov said given the spiralling crime rate, there was an urgent need for at least four other forensic pathologists and eight mortuary attendants at the centre. Lack of clerical support also posed serious problems as Alexandrov recounted the many occasions when much of his time was consumed by writing and signing forms.
“This is a terrible problem. There are all sorts of different forms which I have to write up myself. “I have to write death certificate, post-mortem certificate, evidence submission forms, chain of custody records and cremation forms which include four sheets of paper. Instead of doing autopsies I am writing forms,” Alexandrov said.
National Forensic Centre needed
There is an urgent need for the performing of forensic autopsies to be centralised hence accelerating the process, Alexandrov said.
He said some of the post mortems done at the various hospitals fell in the category of forensic autopsies. Forensic science, Alexandrov explained, entailed unnatural deaths, homicides, suicides, paediatric deaths and all cases of sudden and unexpected deaths. “If all forensic cases were processed at the centre there would be close to 1,500 cases a year. “But then the centre would have to be expanded and equipped with more resources,” Alexandrov said. And to make the national centre more efficient, Alexandrov advised that it be opened seven days week as done in first world countries. The documentation of autopsies using photographs was not used Trinidad, Alexandrov said. Flipping through a plastic casing containing CDs, Alexandrov said each time he performed an autopsy he personally took photographic evidence of his work.
Citing the case of prisoner Tyrone Peters who was discovered hanging in a cell at the La Horquetta Police Station on August 22, Alexandrov said he possessed some 75 photos of the autopsy he did on Peters. Alexandrov stood firmly by his conclusion that Peters died as a result of asphyxia consistent with hanging. A second autopsy performed on Peters’ body by Dr Hughvon des Vignes said Peters died as a result of throttling application of arm locking or choke hold).
Terrible crime situation
The crime situation in T&T was described by Alexandrov as terrible. “The crime situation in Trinidad is really high. It’s a disaster. “This year the homicide rate would probably reach 600,” Alexandrov predicted. Compounding the situation, Alexandrov said too many young men were being cut down in the prime of their lives. “It’s like elimination of the genes,” Alexandrov said.
So yes, the homicide rate in
So yes, the homicide rate in T&T is shamefull but what is it exactly besides probably one of the highest in the world?
.....And when did Dr Hughvon des Vignes cease being a forensic pathologist employed by the government?
The Prime Minister, the
The Prime Minister, the Honorable Patrick Manning should give UDECOTT the job to build another forensic facility, and then ask them to try it out. The UDECOTT chairman - Calder Hart should feel honoured to do this as quickly as possible and maybe the UDECOTT BOARD could try it out together with the clueless government ministers....
The Prime Minister, the
The Prime Minister, the Honorable Patrick Manning should give UDECOTT the job to build another forensic facility, and then ask them to try it out. The UDECOTT chairman - Calder Hart should feel honoured to do this as quickly as possible and maybe the UDECOTT BOARD could try it out together with the clueless government ministers....
Manning is not intrested in
Manning is not intrested in any Forensic Science Center.You would never get anything better.If you have a problem you could use the Hyatt Regency.
Manning should be a RESIDENT
Manning should be a RESIDENT of the MORGUE.
I get the feeling that Dr
I get the feeling that Dr Alexenadrov is getting ready to pack up and leave T&T for good, and who good could blame him, working in those conditions in oil-rich Trinidad.
I wonder if the all the visiting Countries for the Commonwealth Meeting here next month are aware of our disastrous and record setting Homicide rate - signs of a weak and pathetic Government who are clueless as to how to fight crime.
Yet, we are hosting all these world leaders in our murderous capital of Port of Spain where the majority of these homicides take place.
Pack your bags Dr Alexendrov, and find a job that doesn't start your Monday mornings with a cup of coffee and 5 dead bullet-ridden young men.
PM DUCK AND RUN
PM DUCK AND RUN -
The PNM propaganda machine had a good laugh at the expense of Mr Dookeran saying he is "Duck and Run" Where is our PM when the press ask about CRIME and UDECOTT he evades the question. Do we hear anyone laughing at him and calling him "Duck and Run"? If it was any other politician the press would have a field day. The press give Manning a free ride with some soft ball questions. They reserve the hard ones for opposition politicians. A little add money goes a long way. The press is depressing and are part of the governance problem in T&T. They have abdicated their responsibility to the country. We see glimpses of their tenacity when dealing with opposition parties.
Are you kidding?The Press
Are you kidding?The Press cannot say anything bad about Manning.Do you think the Press in Cuba would say anything bad about Raul Castro?NO.Remember not to long ago Manning went to a Radio Station with more Police than there is in Besson Street Station to have two employees FIRED.Trinidad Guardian is playing by the rules. I dont blame them.DONT MESS WITH IDI MANNING THE DICTATOR.
I personally think that
I personally think that Mr.MANNING is Mad. He is mad with power and unless the people of Trinidad get rid of him in the next election, then sweet Trinidad is doomed. The second biggest problem in Trindad after Manning is the opposition. We have no opposition in Trinidad. The people are looking for a good opposition to represent them, but no one is stepping up to the plate. Its time that Jack Warner- Panday- Dookeran and others seriously unite and give the people a chance to get rid of Manning. Manning would be the down fall of Sweet T&T. Mark my word.
I am a surgeon ( POSGH) and
I am a surgeon ( POSGH) and I have a personal knowledge of Dr Alexandrov. He is perfectly trained and fully certified as a forensic anatomic pathologist by the accredited institutioons in the USA. He has been working in various states of US (Minnisota, Florida, NJ, Michigan). His lifelong experience ( 40 years in forencic pathology ) has 14000+ autopsies performed , including high profile cases in different countries ( USA, Soviet Union,Afganistan, Yugoslavia, Iraq). He is high class professinal and for law enforsement and medical community his qualification and expirience are highly regarded.
I am a surgeon ( POSGH) and
I am a surgeon ( POSGH) and I have a personal knowledge of Dr Alexandrov. He is perfectly trained and fully certified as a forensic anatomic pathologist by the accredited institutioons in the USA. He has been working in various states of US (Minnisota, Florida, NJ, Michigan). His lifelong experience ( 40 years in forencic pathology ) has 14000+ autopsies performed , including high profile cases in different countries ( USA, Soviet Union,Afganistan, Yugoslavia, Iraq). He is high class professinal and for law enforsement and medical community his qualification and expirience are highly regarded.