• enhancing the provision of autopsies using imaging modalities
  • identifying human remains that are persistently unidentified
  • maintaining residency training programs in forensic pathology
  • maintaining training programs for less developed countries
  • maintaining educational activities for pathologist assistants, police, physicians, lawyers and other learners
  • encouraging peer-reviewed publications and presentations
  • impacting public health and safety through tissue donation, molecular autopsy, multiple fatality planning.

Retirement of Dr. Toby Rose

Dr. Rose was hired as a forensic pathologist in 1998 and conducted more than 5600 medicolegal autopsies before her retirement. Her career included appointments as the Medical Director of the Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit, the inaugural Deputy Chief Forensic Pathologist (DCFP) for the province, and Vice-President of Logistics & Planning for the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) conference in 2017. An associate professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology of the University of Toronto, she helped to train a generation of anatomical pathologists and forensic pathologists. Dr. Rose retired from her position as DCFP in June 2018, but continues to work with the OFPS part-time.

The Public Inquiry into the safety and security of residents in the Long-Term Care (LTC) Homes System

In August 2017, the LTC Homes Public Inquiry was established by Order in Council following the conviction of a LTC nurse. The Honourable Justice Eileen Gillese was appointed the Commissioner. In July 2018, the Chief Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Pollanen, provided testimony in the Inquiry based on a retrospective death investigation of the victims. Dr. Pollanen also provided recommendations based on the findings on how to improve the death investigation from the OFPS’ perspective, which included a protocol for medico-legal autopsies conducted in the elderly population. The Inquiry produced a number of recommendations for the OCC/OFPS, and work continues on implementation.

Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) - Broken trust: Indigenous people and the Thunder Bay police service report

In December 2018, Gerry McNeilly, the Independent Police Review Director, provided a report on the management of several death investigations in Thunder Bay and the intersections between the Thunder Bay police service and the OFPS/Office of the Chief Coroner (OCC). The report provided a number of recommendations specific to the OFPS/OCC regarding the investigation of Indigenous deaths, communications with police and others, improved local service delivery and cultural competency. The OFPS was tasked with 5 of these recommendations. The recommendations focus on training of pathologists and their relationships with investigators, providing service to the Thunder Bay area, and modifications to autopsy services to comply with the cultural normal of the Indigenous communities. A committee will be assembled to implement these recommendations.