The only forensic pathologists in the country urge for change in death investigation system

The only forensic pathologists in the country have spoken up and urged the administration to change our death investigation system.

According to a GMA Digital Specials report on Tuesday, the Philippines has only two forensic pathologists, Dr. Cecilia Lim and Dr. Raquel Fortun, who are formally trained to examine dead bodies and know the manner and cause of death.

"Kulang tayo sa sistema. Wala tayong death invesigation system na automatic 'yung doctor doon na death investigator ay actually forensic pathologist. So imagine, gaano kalaki 'yung problema natin tulad niyan," Dr. Fortun, the expert who dealt with the Ozone disco fire, Dacer-Corbito case, and the Maguindanao Massacre, said.

Instead of bodies from crime scenes being brought to laboratories for further investigation, most are just brought to the funeral parlor.

"'Yung katawan ay ebidensiya. Ito bang mga taga puneralya ba ay marunong mag-handle ng ebidensya? Hindi," Dr. Fortun said. "Dadamputin lang 'yung bangkay, dadalhin sa puneralya tapos 'yung morgue nila hindi naman angkop mapanghawak ng ebidensya. Pang emballing lang siya practically."

The Philippines is also the only country in the world that still uses the medico legal system especially since it lacks the right number of experts.

"Hindi tayo nakapag-shift kasi in place na 'yung system...Hindi ko rin sasabihin na hindi sila scientific. Doctors din sila so may mga reserach diyan. It's just that kaming dalawang forensic pathologists are formally trained," Dr. Lim said.

Dr. Fortun added, "Wala 'yung demand eh. It's unfortunate...mayroon kang dalawa [forensic pathologists] sa Pilipinas na hindi naman nagagamit so it's very frustrating."

Aside from the lack of support, Dr. Fortun also said that the discipline faces a lack of funds and the right equipment in the country.

Dr. Lim shared that the system heavily relies on witness testimonies, when the right examination can be a good evidence used in cases.

"Masyado tayo nagre-rely sa witness testimony. Ang problema kasi hindi alam ng judge kung totoo 'yung sinasabi o hindi," the doctor said. "Makakatulong 'yung physical evidence. 'Yun 'yung mag-susupport sa mga witnesses niyo kung mapapaniwalaan niya 'yung witness o hindi."

She added, "Dapat palitan ang system dahil maraming nag-fa-fall sa wayside or maraming nakaka-escape na deaths na dapat i-investigate. 'Yun 'yung nakakatakot. Doon walang sistema talaga."

"Napaka-improtante sana kasi nga marami tayong insidente ng krimen sa Pilipinas," Dr. Fortun added. "Marami dapat inimbestigahan and yet hindi naman nagagamit itong science na to. Very little science ang nandoon ang ating imbestigasyon."

— Kaela Malig/LA, GMA News