Pathologist reveals cause of death
July 29, 2015 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
The sole forensic pathologist in the country yesterday gave expert evidence as to the cause of death of one Saidu Bangura, who was allegedly murdered in Lungi by a lady friend, Fatmata Tucker.
Testifying at the Freetown High Court presided over by Justice Alusine Sesay, Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma identified himself as a consultant of the government and forensic pathologist, and also head of the Scientific Unit at the Sierra Leone Police with the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police. He further informed the court that he is a member of the Institute for International Criminal Investigations, adding that he is among the best 20 forensic pathologists in the world.
Dr. Koroma said he recalled 9 April, 2014 when he received an instruction from the Chief Medical Officer and the Coroner of Freetown to perform an autopsy on the remains of Saidu Bangura, 38, a generator mechanic, which he did.
He said the body was identified to him by one Sulaiman Sesay, an uncle of the deceased, Investigating Officer, Detective Police Constable 1513 Kabba M.D. attached to the Criminal Investigation Department, and the Scene of Crime Officer, a certain Detective Dumbuya.
He said at the conclusion of the autopsy he released his findings and gave a photocopy each to the uncle of the deceased and the investigating officer, while he kept the original result.
He thus told the court that the causes of death were multiple cuts, fracture and injuries, blunt force injuries to the head, neck and upper extremities. He further revealed that the deceased’s throat was slit which inevitably caused his death.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Ishmael Philip Mammie, Dr. Koroma said the deceased was six feet and six inches tall, but added that his job as a pathologist was to establish the cause of death.
The accused is being tried on one count of murder contrary to law.
According to the prosecution, the accused Fatmata Tucker murdered her boyfriend, Saidu Bangura on Sunday, 6 April, 2014 at Suffian Gust House in Lungi, Port Loko district.
The matter was adjourned to 3 August.