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Decision over pathologist's cases Decision over pathologist's cases
(10 minutes later)
The government could review all cases involving a pathologist who resigned from the Home Office register, it has been revealed. The government could review all cases involving a Home Office pathologist who resigned from the register after criticism at a disciplinary hearing.
Dr Michael Heath quit after the Advisory Board for Forensic Pathology ruled that his conduct brought into question his fitness to practise. The forensic pathology watchdog ruled that Dr Michael Heath's inadequate post-mortem examinations on two women led to their partners' murder trials.
It found his inadequate post-mortem examinations on two women led to their partners being tried for murder.
The attorney general will now decide if all his cases should be reviewed.The attorney general will now decide if all his cases should be reviewed.
Examinations he has conducted include the Lin and Megan Russell murders and the death of Stuart Lubbock.
Mr Lubbock's body was found in the swimming pool at entertainer Michael Barrymore's home in Harlow, Essex, in March 2001.
An open verdict was recorded at an inquest and no-one has been charged in connection with the death.
It will be a matter for the attorney general's office to now decide whether all his cases should be reviewed Home OfficeIt will be a matter for the attorney general's office to now decide whether all his cases should be reviewed Home Office
Dr Heath has conducted hundreds of examinations since being appointed to his role in 1991, including the Lin and Megan Russell murders and the death of Stuart Lubbock at Michael Barrymore's Essex house. Dr Heath has conducted hundreds of examinations since being appointed to his role in 1991.
A Home Office spokeswomen said the board had been due to reconvene on Monday. A Home Office spokeswomen said the Advisory Board for Forensic Pathology had been due to reconvene on Monday.
"But Dr Heath informed the members that he was resigning from the register," she added."But Dr Heath informed the members that he was resigning from the register," she added.
"The hearing has now been cancelled."The hearing has now been cancelled.
"It will be a matter for the attorney general's office to now decide whether all his cases should be reviewed.""It will be a matter for the attorney general's office to now decide whether all his cases should be reviewed."
Dr Heath was unavailable for comment on Saturday.Dr Heath was unavailable for comment on Saturday.
Questions raisedQuestions raised
The six-week hearing in London was told that Dr Heath refused to back down on his view that the two women had been murdered despite mounting evidence to the contrary.The six-week hearing in London was told that Dr Heath refused to back down on his view that the two women had been murdered despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
In one case, Steven Puaca, of Lowestoft, was jailed at Norwich Crown Court in 2002 for killing Jacqueline Tindsley, 55. Mr Puaca was later cleared by the Appeal Court.In one case, Steven Puaca, of Lowestoft, was jailed at Norwich Crown Court in 2002 for killing Jacqueline Tindsley, 55. Mr Puaca was later cleared by the Appeal Court.
The second involved Kenneth Fraser, who faced an Old Bailey trial, also in 2002, for murdering Mary Anne Moore, 56, but was cleared by a jury.The second involved Kenneth Fraser, who faced an Old Bailey trial, also in 2002, for murdering Mary Anne Moore, 56, but was cleared by a jury.
Charles Miskin QC, for the Home Office, told the hearing that in neither case was there any substantial evidence of unlawful killing, except Dr Heath's testimony.Charles Miskin QC, for the Home Office, told the hearing that in neither case was there any substantial evidence of unlawful killing, except Dr Heath's testimony.
Following the trial of Mr Fraser, the Home Office received a letter from three leading pathologists who disagreed with Dr Heath's assertion that Miss Moore had been battered to death.Following the trial of Mr Fraser, the Home Office received a letter from three leading pathologists who disagreed with Dr Heath's assertion that Miss Moore had been battered to death.
All three agreed Ms Moore's injuries were consistent with falling down the stairs.All three agreed Ms Moore's injuries were consistent with falling down the stairs.
The board had found that, in both cases, Dr Heath's professional performance fell short of the standards required of forensic pathologists.The board had found that, in both cases, Dr Heath's professional performance fell short of the standards required of forensic pathologists.
It also upheld 20 disciplinary charges against him.It also upheld 20 disciplinary charges against him.
Dr Heath had been suspended from the register pending the panel's decision.Dr Heath had been suspended from the register pending the panel's decision.