Forensic Pathologist: Lungs were inflated
by Barbados Advocate
WHEN a forensic pathologist performed a post mortem on the body of 23-year-old engineer I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney, among other things, his lungs were inflated.
That was te evidence of Dr. Carl Winskog of the Government Forensic Sciences Centre at the Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Maloney, formerly of Reed Street, City.
The forensic pathologist said that on June 20, 2008 when he performed the post mortem, he also found blunt trauma to the head, multiple lacerations to the head, arms and legs, and a laceration to the liver. He attributed the cause of death to drowning.
He explained that the injuries to the head and liver were consistent with the body beating against the rocks, adding that the injuries to the head were consistent with a fall.
Dr. Winskog also explained that the inflated lungs were consistent with drowning.
Dr. Jasmine Crump, the Police Medical Officer, said that she pronounced Maloney dead about 1:45 a.m. on June 17, 2008.
Meanwhile, Coroner Faith Marshall-Harris, in her opening address on Monday, explained that the inquest was not a trial, but sought to answer a number of questions in understanding what had happened on June 16, 2008 when Maloney died.
“This inquest is consponsible, the matter will be dealt with by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Counsel for the Maloney family, attorney, David Comissiong who is in association with Andrew Pilgrim, said he felt strongly that because of the situation, the inquest should be tried independent of the police who should be kept at arm’s length.
The Coroner assured that she was not dependent on the police.
In addition, the team also plans to have the body exhumed.
Meanwhile, it was stated in yesterday’s issue that Maloney was diagnosed with cancer, but in fact it was asthma.
Hearing continues on Monday.
Tags: Andrew Pilgrim, asthma, cause of death, Coroner, Coroner Inquest, David Comissiong, Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Carl Winskog, Dr. Jasmine Crump, drowning, evidence, exhume, Faith Marshall-Harris, forensic pathologist, Government Forensic Sciences Centre, independent, lacerations, liver, lungs inflated, Police Medical Officer, post mortem, trauma