A new case that surfaced yesterday further exposes the serious dysfunctions of the Patras Forensic Service, which has been suspended since July by order of Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis.
The case involves the death of a 2.5-month-old infant in 2013, initially attributed to pathological causes despite medical findings indicating abuse, according to local media. Following an audit of case files, the Athens Forensic Service identified suspicious reports. The prosecutor has since intervened, while the Internal Affairs division of the Hellenic Police is investigating a coroner suspected of issuing similar reports in cases later proven to be crimes. [1], [2], [3]
The same service was responsible for forensic reports in both the Pispirigou and Mourtzoukou cases.
The baby was first admitted to Ioannina hospital and then transferred to Patras due to the severity of its condition. Doctors there, as well as colleagues at the University Hospital of Rio, noted signs of abuse. Nonetheless, the autopsy performed by the Patras coroner ruled the death as pathological.
It should be recalled that after the confession of Mourtzoukou, the entire Patras Forensic Service was dismantled, with more than 100 case files now under review due to serious deficiencies. Among the cases handled by the service were that of Roula Pispirigou and one involving the abuse of a minor girl, which was dismissed as unfounded. The girl later committed suicide, and the autopsy revealed clear signs of abuse.
