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Reviews for pathologist's cases Reviews for pathologist's cases
(about 5 hours later)
Convictions in nine murder and manslaughter cases involving a former Home Office pathologist are being reviewed, the BBC has learned.Convictions in nine murder and manslaughter cases involving a former Home Office pathologist are being reviewed, the BBC has learned.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission is looking into the cases involving Dr Michael Heath, who quit after criticism from the forensic pathology watchdog.The Criminal Cases Review Commission is looking into the cases involving Dr Michael Heath, who quit after criticism from the forensic pathology watchdog.
One case is that of Michael Stone, serving life for the murders in July 1996 of Lin and Megan Russell in Kent. One case is that of Michael Stone, serving life for the murders in July 1996 of Lin and Megan Russell, in Kent.
The attorney general has ruled out a wholesale review of Mr Heath's cases.The attorney general has ruled out a wholesale review of Mr Heath's cases.
Lord Goldsmith said normal procedures "should be sufficient". A spokesman for Lord Goldsmith said: "The attorney general believes that the normal appeal procedures, and where appropriate the involvement of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, should be sufficient."
Detailed investigationDetailed investigation
The commission, which refers convictions to the Court of Appeal when it suspects there may have been a miscarriage of justice, trawled through about 50 homicide cases involving Dr Heath.The commission, which refers convictions to the Court of Appeal when it suspects there may have been a miscarriage of justice, trawled through about 50 homicide cases involving Dr Heath.
Five convictions have given officials cause for concern and are to be investigated in more detail.Five convictions have given officials cause for concern and are to be investigated in more detail.
Four others are already being considered, including that of Stone.Four others are already being considered, including that of Stone.
His solicitors have asked the commission to examine Dr Heath's post-mortem examination findings, though this evidence forms only one part of their submission.His solicitors have asked the commission to examine Dr Heath's post-mortem examination findings, though this evidence forms only one part of their submission.
I can assure you, I spent 10 years within a lifer system in England and Scotland and the biggest majority of lifers admit their guilt Victor BoremanI can assure you, I spent 10 years within a lifer system in England and Scotland and the biggest majority of lifers admit their guilt Victor Boreman
Last June, the convictions of Victor Boreman - a 38-year-old from Scotland accused of murdering a man at a flat in Plumstead, in London, in 1996 - and that of two other men were quashed after a judge ruled Dr Heath's evidence was "discredited". Last June, the convictions of Victor Boreman, a 38-year-old from Scotland accused of murdering a man at a flat in Plumstead, London, in 1996, and that of two other men were quashed after a judge ruled Dr Heath's evidence was "discredited".
In his evidence Dr Heath said the victim died after drowning in his own blood because of injuries to his head and lips. In his evidence Dr Heath said the victim had died after drowning in his own blood because of injuries to his head and lips.
But this was undermined by reports from other pathologists as it could not be determined whether his 51-year-old victim had died from injuries caused by the assault or from fumes caused by a fire in the flat. But this was undermined by reports from other pathologists as it could not be determined whether the 51-year-old had died from injuries caused by the assault or from fumes caused by a fire in the flat.
Mr Boreman told BBC News: "People think that every prisoner protests their innocence.Mr Boreman told BBC News: "People think that every prisoner protests their innocence.
"I can assure you, I spent 10 years within a lifer system in England and Scotland and the biggest majority of lifers admit their guilt. "I can assure you, I spent 10 years within a lifer system in England and Scotland and the majority of lifers admit their guilt.
"They accept it; they might not like it but they move on." "They accept it - they might not like it but they move on."
Dr Heath, who was appointed to his role in 1991, resigned from the register last month after a disciplinary panel ruled that his post-mortem examinations on two women led to their partners' murder trials. Both men were eventually cleared.Dr Heath, who was appointed to his role in 1991, resigned from the register last month after a disciplinary panel ruled that his post-mortem examinations on two women led to their partners' murder trials. Both men were eventually cleared.
Dr Heath has conducted hundreds of examinations since being appointed to his role in 1991.Dr Heath has conducted hundreds of examinations since being appointed to his role in 1991.