Scientific Program

Profiles

Alika Lafontaine

Session:

Update on the CMA's Apology to Indigenous Peoples (2024-10-04 1100-1145)
The Role of Medicolegal Death Investigations and Indigenous People[…] (2024-10-04 1600-1700)

Dr. Alika Lafontaine is an award-winning physician, social innovator, and Maclean’s top Health Care Innovator for 2023. From 2022-2023, Dr. Lafontaine served as the first Indigenous doctor and youngest physician to lead the Canadian Medical Association in its 156-year history. While President, the Federal government invested the largest amount into healthcare since 2004 and significant progress was made towards pan-Canadian licensure.Over his three-years in the Presidency cycle, Dr. Lafontaine led the Indigenous apology process with two other board members, Dr. Paula Cashin and Dr. Santanna Hernandez. Rooted in an honest and detailed review of the CMA’s history and actions, the apology process brought together staff from across the organization to begin an internal process of reconciliation which culminated in a national apology presented on September 18th, 2024. The CMA is now moving in to the next steps of reconciliACTION, which Dr. Lafontaine will continue to support moving forward.

Katherine Gruspier

Session:

Canada's residential school investigations (2024-10-04 1445-1530)
The Role of Medicolegal Death Investigations and Indigenous People[…] (2024-10-04 1600-1700)

Dr. Gruspier is the only fulltime forensic anthropologist in Canada. She works for the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. She is also an Associate professor of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at U of T and as such provides teaching and training to forensic pathology fellows, residents and visiting pathologists at the Provincial FP Unit in Toronto.Her areas of expertise include; biological profiles for all unidentified individuals; scene attendance of found decomposed, skeletal and burned remains in order to ensure complete recovery; examination of remains to document ante-, peri-, and postmortem trauma with the forensic pathologist; as well as toolmark analysis of dismembered remains and both, scene recovery of commingled burned remains and multiple fatality investigations.She also makes positive identifications of individuals by comparison of ante- and postmortem imaging and interprets positive identifications by DNA in her role as the DNA coordinator.

Christopher Milroy

Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology

Session:

Welcome & Introductions (2024-10-04 0830-0845)
Forensic pathology in Canada[…] (2024-10-04 1000-1030)
Forensic Pathology in the Arctic (2024-10-04 1145-1215)

Christopher Milroy is a forensic pathologist in Ottawa and a Full Professor in the University of Ottawa. He qualified in medicine from the University of Liverpool and started training in pathology forty years ago. He trained in Forensic Pathology in Sheffield. He worked as a forensic pathologist in Sheffield for 18 years before moving to Ottawa in 2008. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal College of Physicians of CanadaHe has given evidence in hundreds of criminal trials and in inquests in multiple jurisdictions. He has published over 130 peer reviewed articles and chapters and is co-editor of forensic neuropathology with the late Helen Whitwell and with Daniel Du Plessis. He edits Academic Forensic Pathology. His research interests include the metabolic autopsy and the history of forensic medicine. With colleagues he has provided a forensic pathology service for Nunavut since 2010. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2023.

Craig Chatterton

Session:

Toxicology of Standard Opioids (2024-10-05 1300-1345)

Dr. Chatterton is the Chief Toxicologist at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Edmonton, AB, Canada and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at the University of Alberta. Dr Chatterton earned his PhD from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom prior to taking up employment within the toxicology department of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in 2001. Dr Chatterton is a board-certified forensic toxicologist (F-ABFT) and chartered chemist.As a senior reporting officer and service delivery team leader, Dr Chatterton managed the National DUID and Road Traffic Alcohol units of the FSS before moving to Canada in 2011 to join the OCME as Deputy Chief Toxicologist; he was promoted to Chief Toxicologist in 2017.Dr Chatterton is a member of numerous professional organisations including The Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT), The Society of Hair Testing (SoHT), The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and The United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT).As an active member of these organisations Dr Chatterton has chaired scientific workshops, presented numerous platform, poster and workshop presentations and completed a large number of abstract reviews. Dr Chatterton has published peer-reviewed papers and book chapters on forensic toxicology and drugs in hair analysis, and most recently, post mortem toxicology in Clarke’s Analysis of Drugs and Poisons.

Jacqueline Parai

Session:

Welcome (2024-10-05 0830-0840)

Dr. Jacqueline Parai is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is a full time forensic pathologist at the Eastern Ontario Regional Forensic Pathology Unit in Ottawa; previously having worked in Toronto for 8 years. She completed a Forensic Pathology Fellowship at the OCME for the State of Maryland and is board certified in Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology. She has completed a Master’s of Science in Epidemiology at the University of Toronto. She is an examiner in Forensic Pathology and past Chair of the Specialty Committee in Forensic Pathology of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is secretary-treasurer of the CAFM and sits on the Board of Directors of the CAP-ACP.She holds the appointment of Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Ottawa. She is involved in research looking at postmortem biochemistry and its use in Forensic Pathology.

Kona Williams

Session:

Investigating Indigenous Deaths[…] (2024-10-04 1315-1400)
The Role of Medicolegal Death Investigations and Indigenous People[…] (2024-10-04 1600-1700)

Dr. Williams is a forensic pathologist and coroner with the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. She is both Cree (Peguis First Nation) and Mohawk (Kahnawake). She is the Director of the Northeastern Regional Forensic Pathology Unit at Health Sciences North (HSN). She is appointed as the First Nations Liaison for the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS).She is the co-chair of the Indigenous Health Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Williams is an Assistant Professor at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). She serves on the Senate at the NOSM, and has recently been appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools, Missing Children and Unmarked Burials

Matthew Bowes

Session:

Epidemiology and Public Health of the drug crisis in Canada[…] (2024-10-05 0840-1040)

Dr. Matt Bowes obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto and is a graduate of the Queen’s University School of Medicine. After completing his anatomical pathology training at Dalhousie University, he traveled to Miami, Florida, where he was a forensic pathology fellow and associate medical examiner in the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department. He then returned to Halifax, where he worked as a consultant forensic pathologist and medical examiner in the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service until 2006, when he was appointed Chief Medical Examiner. In addition to his regular duties, Dr. Bowes has given many lectures around the country on various topics in forensic pathology and is honoured to have served on the Forensic Pathology Specialty Committee and on the Forensic Pathology Board of Examiners of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Matthew Orde

Session:

Pathology and the Role of the Autopsy (2024-10-05 1110-1200)

Matthew Orde is a consulting forensic and anatomical pathologist, who is currently contracted to provide autopsy services to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Alberta. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, and former Medical Director of Autopsy Pathology at the Vancouver General Hospital (2013-2021). Matthew is a ‘Geordie’, originating from Newcastle upon Tyne in northern England, but attended medical school in Scotland, and underwent the majority of his pathology training in southern England. During his training he also spent a year as a Registrar in Forensic Medicine in South Africa, and prior to relocating to Canada in 2013, he worked as a forensic pathologist for 9 years in Sydney, Australia. Matthew also holds legal qualifications, culminating in call to the Bar of England & Wales, and previously held office as Her Majesty’s Deputy Coroner for the City of Brighton and Hove, England.undertaken by pathology trainees under his close supervision.He has been accepted as an expert witness in forensic and autopsy pathology by the Supreme Court of British Columbia on numerous occasions, as well as by courts in Australia and the United Kingdom.Matthew is a much sought-after and engaging speaker, and regularly presents to a variety of audiences, ranging from schoolchildren to senior criminal lawyers and members of the judiciary.

Michael Pollanen

Session:

Welcome & Introductions (2024-10-04 0830-0845)
The growth and development of forensic pathology[…] (2024-10-04 0930-1000)
The Role of Medicolegal Death Investigations and Indigenous People[…] (2024-10-04 1600-1700)

Michael S. Pollanen BSc PhD MD FRCPath DMJ (Path) FRCPC FFFLM (hon) Founder, Forensic Pathology is a Canadian forensic and anatomical pathologist with over 20 years of experience. He is the founding Chief Forensic Pathologist of the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, and Professor and Vice-Chair (Global Health) of the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto. Dr Pollanen is the founding Program Director for the accredited residency program in forensic pathology (the first in Canada) and the Raymond Chang fellowship at the University of Toronto, in partnership with the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. Dr. Pollanen led the reform of forensic pathology in Ontario after a public inquiry (Goudge Inquiry) by introducing professional oversight and systemic quality improvements for autopsies. He also contributed to quashing many wrongful convictions, mostly in alleged cases of fatal child abuse with flawed medical evidence. His main educational interest is forensic capacity development in resource-limited settings. He has worked for the United Nations, International Criminal Court, and the International Committee for the Red Cross. He has been involved in international work (casework and training missions, and external examiner duties) in: Algeria, Bermuda, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chile, East Timor, Egypt, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Peru, and the West Bank. Dr. Pollanen was also instrumental in a collaboration with the Department of National Defense to conduct autopsies on Canadian soldiers killed in the international coalition war Afghanistan to help improve protective equipment for Canadian soldiers. His current main professional interest is the application of the autopsy to the investigation of torture, extrajudicial execution, and death in custody. He is also a Principal Investigator at the Tanz Centre in Neurodegenerative Disease where he studies a post-conflict African brain disease. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles. Dr Pollanen has trained or contributed to the training of over 50 residents/fellows in forensic pathology at the University of Toronto. He is a long term examiner for the specialist certification in anatomical pathology (now diagnostic and molecular pathology) for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is a past president of the International Association of Forensic Sciences.

Jessica Kent

Session:

Clinical Aspects of the Drug Crisis (2024-10-05 1345-1415)

Dr. Jessica Kent is an emergency physician at St. Michael’s Hospital and an investigating coroner in the North Peel region. She is in the final year of her Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology fellowship at the University of Toronto and is a research fellow with the Toxicology Investigators Consortium where her research interests center around emerging substances of abuse and preventable drug death. She completed her FRCPC Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Toronto, MD at NOSM University, MClSc. in Pathology at Western and BSc. in Forensic Science at Laurentian University.

Thambirajah Balachandra

Session:

Forensic Pathology over my career: Sri Lanka to Canada[…] (2024-10-04 0845-0930)

Thambirajah Balachandra is currently appointed as Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.

Katie David

Session:

Epidemiology and Public Health of the drug crisis in Canada[…] (2024-10-05 0840-1040)

Katie David is an epidemiologist with the Public Health Agency of Canada and part of the Chief Coroners, Chief Medical Examiners, and Public Health Collaborative Secretariat. Katie supports the work of the substance-related toxicity subgroup to develop common approaches and discrete data elements for the investigation of substance-related toxicity deaths.

Regan Murray

Session:

Epidemiology and Public Health of the drug crisis in Canada[…] (2024-10-05 0840-1040)

Regan Murray is a senior epidemiologist with the Public Health Agency of Canada and part of the Chief Coroner, Chief Medical Examiner and Public Health Collaborative Secretariat. Regan has previously work as a Public Health Officer – Epidemiologist placed at the Office of the Chief Corner for Ontario to support capacity for surveillance of drug toxicity deaths and enhance relationship building with public health and other partners.

Lindsay Ninivirta

Session:

Neonatal skull fractures caused by vacuum-assisted delivery – a case report[…] (2024-10-05 1430-1445)

Lindsay Ninivirta is a PGY5 and current Chief resident, in Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology at Western University, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. She works at London Health Sciences University Hospital, where she engages in numerous research endeavors with recent presentations at CAP-ACP in Halifax, and the European Congress of Pathology in Florence, Italy. Lindsay has previously won awards for research and teaching and completed her undergraduate medical degree at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay campus, and Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from Trent University. Outside of medicine Lindsay has been an active member of Girl Guides of Canada, Guides du Canada, for over 20 years and is passionate about leadership, mentorship, and the outdoors.

Tanya Talaga

Session:

Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada (2024-10-04 1400-1445)

Tanya Talaga is an award-winning Anishinaabe journalist and author. Through her bestselling books, acclaimed documentaries and podcasts, regular columns with the Globe and Mail, and powerful keynotes, Talaga aims to amplify Indigenous voices and stories across Canada and the world. She imparts audiences with in-depth knowledge on Indigenous culture and history, humanizing the legacy of residential schools and colonization while sharing her hope for a more inclusive and equitable future.Talaga is of Indigenous and Polish descent. She is a member of Fort William First Nation and her mother was raised on the traditional territory of Robinson Superior Treaty area and in Treaty 9.For more than 20 years, Talaga was a journalist at the Toronto Star. She is now a regular columnist at the Globe and Mail. In 2021, Talaga was part of the Globe team that won the Michener Award in public service journalism for reporting on the Catholic Church’s efforts to avoid responsibility regarding Indian Residential Schools, and the pursuit of an apology from Pope Francis. She has been part of teams that won two National Newspaper Awards for Project of the Year while at The Star.Talaga is the author of two national bestsellers. Her first book, Seven Fallen Feathers, won the 2018 RBC Taylor Prize, the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing, and the First Nation Communities Read Award: Young Adult/Adult. Her second book, All Our Relations, was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Nonfiction Prize and for the British Academy’s Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize for Global Cultural Understanding. Talaga will release her third book, The Knowing in August 2024.In 2018, Talaga founded the production company, Makwa Creative Inc. She directed and executive produced Makwa’s first film, Mashkawi-Manidoo Bimaadiziwin Spirit to Soar. It received the “Audience Award” for best mid-length documentary at the Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival. Talaga is also the executive producer of the podcast, Auntie Up!, made for Indigenous women by Indigenous women.Talaga holds four honorary doctorates. She was the 2017/2018 Atkinson Fellow in Public Policy and, in 2018, was the first Anishinaabe woman to be the CBC Massey Lecturer.

Andrew Mazurek

Session:

Fatal Hemoptysis Due to Post-Transplant Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report[…] (2024-10-05 1445-1500)

Dr. Andrew Mazurek completed his medical education at University College Cork, Ireland and is currently a senior resident (PGY5) in Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. His interests include forensic pathology and postmortem imaging. After residency, he will pursue fellowship training in forensic pathology at the Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit in Toronto beginning in 2025.

Program

Jump to a specific Day
Fri Oct 4th (Day 1)	Sat Oct 5th (Day 2)

Friday, October 4th(Day 1)
07:30-08:00	Registration Please arrive before 8:00 AM to be credentialed Foyer Session Objectives: Recognize issues of death investigations and Indigenous people in Canada Describe the opioid crisis in Canada List different patterns of drug use across Canada
08:00-08:30	Breakfast & Networking
08:30-08:45	Welcome & Introductions Christopher Milroy Michael Pollanen Forensic Pathology in Canada. Past, present and future Target: Forensic Pathologists CanMEDS: Professional
08:45-09:30	Forensic Pathology over my career: Sri Lanka to Canada Opening Keynote Thambirajah Balachandra I have been doing autopsies and giving evidence in criminal cases since 1972, and learned many things that are not in any books of forensic pathology. These will be presented under each theme. Attendees will be able to use the knowledge to anticipate and avoid problems. Session Objectives: anticipate and avoid problems while doing an autopsy and during court testimony.
09:30-10:00	The growth and development of forensic pathology in Canada and Ontario Michael Pollanen
10:00-10:30	Forensic pathology in Canada Founding of the CAFM & Future of Forensic Pthology Christopher Milroy
10:30-11:00	Break & Networking Coffee breaks are sponsored by The Canadian Society of Forensic Science The Canadian Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) is a non-profit professional organization incorporated to maintain professional standards, and to promote the study and enhance the stature of forensic science. Membership in the society is open internationally to professionals with an active interest in the forensic sciences. It is organized into sections representing diverse areas of forensic examination: Anthropology, Medical, Odontology, Biology, Chemistry, Documents, Engineering, Firearms and Toxicology. The CSFS and its members wish the CAFM a fruitful inaugural conference. We look forward to future collaboration as our organizations continue to advocate for forensic experts in their fields and foster a community of professionals. La Société canadienne des sciences judiciaires (SCSJ) est une organisation professionnelle sans but lucratif constituée dans le but de maintenir des normes professionnelles, de promouvoir l’étude et accroître la visibilité des sciences judiciaires. L’adhésion à la Société est ouverte au niveau international pour les professionnels ayant un intérêt actif dans les sciences judiciaires. Elle est organisée en sections représentant divers domaines des sciences judiciaires: Anthropologie, Médecine légale, Odontologie, Biologie, Chimie, Documents, Génie, Balistique et Toxicologie. La SCSJ et ses membres souhaitent à la ACML une conférence inaugurale fructueuse. Nous nous réjouissons de notre future collaboration, car nos organisations continuent à défendre les experts en sciences judiciaires dans leurs domaines respectifs et à favoriser la création d’une communauté de professionnels.
11:00-11:45	Update on the CMA's Apology to Indigenous Peoples Alika Lafontaine This keynote will update participants on the recently presented apology to Indigenous Peoples by the Canadian Medical Association, speaking in behalf of the profession. Session Objectives: Reflect on the events leading up to the Canadian Medical Association apology to Indigenous Peoples Evaluate the actions they might take personally as they walk their own reconciliation journeys. Target: Physicians CanMEDS: Collaborator Leader Health Advocate
11:45-12:15	Forensic Pathology in the Arctic Christopher Milroy
12:15-13:15	Lunch & Networking Exhibitor and Symposium is sponsored by Randox Access your own copy of the paper, Evaluation of Real Time Fatal Drug Overdose, by clicking below: Download PDF
13:15-14:00	Investigating Indigenous Deaths Looking beyond the Pathology Kona Williams This presentation will review the historical trauma experienced by Indigenous people in Canada (Indian Act, Residential School System), and the impacts felt today. Recent cases of the deaths of Indigenous people will be presented, in the context of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the Residential School burial sites. Throughout the presentation will be information about how to approach these deaths and communicate with family and communities. Session Objectives: Identify the historical issues that affect Indigenous people today Reflect on the issues affecting the deaths of Indigenous people in Canada CanMEDS: Medical Expert (the integrating role) Communicator Health Advocate
14:00-14:45	Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada Tanya Talaga Target: Death investigation teams CanMEDS: Collaborator
14:45-15:30	Canada's residential school investigations Katherine Gruspier
15:30-16:00	Break & Networking Coffee breaks are sponsored by The Canadian Society of Forensic Science The Canadian Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) is a non-profit professional organization incorporated to maintain professional standards, and to promote the study and enhance the stature of forensic science. Membership in the society is open internationally to professionals with an active interest in the forensic sciences. It is organized into sections representing diverse areas of forensic examination: Anthropology, Medical, Odontology, Biology, Chemistry, Documents, Engineering, Firearms and Toxicology. The CSFS and its members wish the CAFM a fruitful inaugural conference. We look forward to future collaboration as our organizations continue to advocate for forensic experts in their fields and foster a community of professionals. La Société canadienne des sciences judiciaires (SCSJ) est une organisation professionnelle sans but lucratif constituée dans le but de maintenir des normes professionnelles, de promouvoir l’étude et accroître la visibilité des sciences judiciaires. L’adhésion à la Société est ouverte au niveau international pour les professionnels ayant un intérêt actif dans les sciences judiciaires. Elle est organisée en sections représentant divers domaines des sciences judiciaires: Anthropologie, Médecine légale, Odontologie, Biologie, Chimie, Documents, Génie, Balistique et Toxicologie. La SCSJ et ses membres souhaitent à la ACML une conférence inaugurale fructueuse. Nous nous réjouissons de notre future collaboration, car nos organisations continuent à défendre les experts en sciences judiciaires dans leurs domaines respectifs et à favoriser la création d’une communauté de professionnels.
16:00-17:00	The Role of Medicolegal Death Investigations and Indigenous People Panel Discussion Alika Lafontaine Kona Williams Michael Pollanen Katherine Gruspier Chaired by C. Milroy
17:00-18:30	Welcome Reception All delegates

Saturday, October 5th(Day 2)
07:30-08:00	Registration Please arrive before 8:00 AM to be credentialed
08:00-08:30	Light breakfast
08:30-08:40	Welcome Jacqueline Parai
08:40-10:40	Epidemiology and Public Health of the drug crisis in Canada What Forensic Pathology can teach us Matthew Bowes Regan Murray Katie David This session will provide an overview of the value of collaboration between the death investigation system and public health, describe harms due to unregulated toxic drug crisis in Canada and drug trends over time, and share initiatives underway to improve access to timely and comparable drug investigation data in Canada to inform prevention activities. It will also provide an overview of the value of collaboration between the death investigation system and public health, describe harms due to unregulated toxic drug crisis in Canada and drug trends over time, and share initiatives underway to improve access to timely and comparable drug investigation data in Canada to inform prevention activities. Session Objectives: Identify mechanisms/how death investigation data can contribute to public health systems, including research and surveillance, and strategies to mitigate preventable deaths. Describe harms due to the unregulated toxic drug crisis in Canada and drug trends over time. Further understanding of recent research outputs on death investigation data that describe trends across populations, and geographic distribution among other characteristics. Describe the importance of completing the medical certificate accurately, including listing at least two suggestions for accurately capturing a substance-related toxicity death. Reflect on the importance of intergovernmental/FPT relationships and cross-sectoral collaboration to promoting systems level approach to public health surveillance. Target: Forensic pathologists and other members of the death investigation team. Death investigation team
10:40-11:10	Break & Networking Coffee breaks are sponsored by The Canadian Society of Forensic Science The Canadian Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) is a non-profit professional organization incorporated to maintain professional standards, and to promote the study and enhance the stature of forensic science. Membership in the society is open internationally to professionals with an active interest in the forensic sciences. It is organized into sections representing diverse areas of forensic examination: Anthropology, Medical, Odontology, Biology, Chemistry, Documents, Engineering, Firearms and Toxicology. The CSFS and its members wish the CAFM a fruitful inaugural conference. We look forward to future collaboration as our organizations continue to advocate for forensic experts in their fields and foster a community of professionals. La Société canadienne des sciences judiciaires (SCSJ) est une organisation professionnelle sans but lucratif constituée dans le but de maintenir des normes professionnelles, de promouvoir l’étude et accroître la visibilité des sciences judiciaires. L’adhésion à la Société est ouverte au niveau international pour les professionnels ayant un intérêt actif dans les sciences judiciaires. Elle est organisée en sections représentant divers domaines des sciences judiciaires: Anthropologie, Médecine légale, Odontologie, Biologie, Chimie, Documents, Génie, Balistique et Toxicologie. La SCSJ et ses membres souhaitent à la ACML une conférence inaugurale fructueuse. Nous nous réjouissons de notre future collaboration, car nos organisations continuent à défendre les experts en sciences judiciaires dans leurs domaines respectifs et à favoriser la création d’une communauté de professionnels.
11:10-12:00	Pathology and the Role of the Autopsy Matthew Orde An exploration of the role of the autopsy in suspected acute drug toxicity deaths, with reference to published data. Case management options which are supported by the available evidence base will be highlighted, but this presentation is intended as a thought-provoking prelude to further discussions between Canadian practitioners, with a view to achieving consensus opinion on best practice.
12:00-13:00	Lunch & Networking Exhibitor and Symposium is sponsored by Randox Access your own copy of the paper, Evaluation of Real Time Fatal Drug Overdose, by clicking below: Download PDF
13:00-13:45	Toxicology of Standard Opioids Craig Chatterton
13:45-14:15	Clinical Aspects of the Drug Crisis Jessica Kent Session Objectives: Describe how the drug crisis is impacting clinical work in the Emergency Department (ED) Describe the epidemiology of substance related presentations to the ED and how they are treated
14:15-14:30	Break & Networking Coffee breaks are sponsored by The Canadian Society of Forensic Science The Canadian Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) is a non-profit professional organization incorporated to maintain professional standards, and to promote the study and enhance the stature of forensic science. Membership in the society is open internationally to professionals with an active interest in the forensic sciences. It is organized into sections representing diverse areas of forensic examination: Anthropology, Medical, Odontology, Biology, Chemistry, Documents, Engineering, Firearms and Toxicology. The CSFS and its members wish the CAFM a fruitful inaugural conference. We look forward to future collaboration as our organizations continue to advocate for forensic experts in their fields and foster a community of professionals. La Société canadienne des sciences judiciaires (SCSJ) est une organisation professionnelle sans but lucratif constituée dans le but de maintenir des normes professionnelles, de promouvoir l’étude et accroître la visibilité des sciences judiciaires. L’adhésion à la Société est ouverte au niveau international pour les professionnels ayant un intérêt actif dans les sciences judiciaires. Elle est organisée en sections représentant divers domaines des sciences judiciaires: Anthropologie, Médecine légale, Odontologie, Biologie, Chimie, Documents, Génie, Balistique et Toxicologie. La SCSJ et ses membres souhaitent à la ACML une conférence inaugurale fructueuse. Nous nous réjouissons de notre future collaboration, car nos organisations continuent à défendre les experts en sciences judiciaires dans leurs domaines respectifs et à favoriser la création d’une communauté de professionnels.
14:30-14:45	Neonatal skull fractures caused by vacuum-assisted delivery – a case report Podium Presentations Lindsay Ninivirta Introduction: Vacuum extraction is a frequently employed obstetric intervention designed to assist in the delivery of the fetus during labor. Although generally effective, it carries potential risks. This autopsy case study presents a rare instance where skull fractures resulted from vacuum extraction, providing valuable insights into this serious complication. Clinical Presentation: A full-term neonate was delivered via induced vaginal delivery with a prolonged vacuum extraction. Post delivery, there was increased work of breathing requiring intensive care. Computed tomography scan showed subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhage but, skull fractures were not identified. The neonate showed limited activity, and invasive ventilation measures were discontinued. An autopsy was performed to elucidate the cause of death. Results: Autopsy revealed multiple linear skull fractures involving the left parietal and occipital bones. Additional findings included an overlying patterned discoid distribution of abrasions and bruises on the vertex of the head with underlying extensive scalp hemorrhages, patchy diffuse subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhage. No congenital anomalies of other contributing factors were identified. Based on the case history and postmortem examination, death was attributed to complications of vacuumassisted vaginal delivery. Conclusion: Thorough post-mortem investigation is essential for assessing the contribution of delivery techniques to neonatal deaths. It is important that clinicians and forensic pathologists are aware of the neonatal risks and complications associated with vacuum assisted deliveries, and not mistake birth related trauma with criminally suspicious trauma. This case highlights the potential serious complications associated with vacuum extraction and the need for improved delivery practices. Poster Awards are sponsored by Routledge – The Taylor & Francis Group The Taylor & Francis Group has generously provided 2 gift certificates for our poster awardees, for any book title and all orders on ccrcpress.com! Learn more by clicking below: Download Discount Flyer Session Objectives: Discuss the use & indications for vacuum-assistance delivery devices. Case presentation of a neonatal head injury caused by vacuum-assisted delivery CanMEDS: Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Health Advocate, Scholar, Professional.
14:45-15:00	Fatal Hemoptysis Due to Post-Transplant Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report Podium Presentations Andrew Mazurek Poster Awards are sponsored by Routledge – The Taylor & Francis Group The Taylor & Francis Group has generously provided 2 gift certificates for our poster awardees, for any book title and all orders on ccrcpress.com! Learn more by clicking below: Download Discount Flyer
15:00-15:15	Open Question & Answer session
15:15-16:00	Real-Time Fatal Drug Overdose Surveillance unaccredited session
16:00-16:15	Wrap up – Evaluation Reminders & Departure
16:15-17:00	Tour of the FSCC 3 Groups of 20 People

Speakers Program

Profiles

Alika Lafontaine

Katherine Gruspier

Christopher Milroy

Craig Chatterton

Jacqueline Parai

Kona Williams

Matthew Bowes

Matthew Orde

Michael Pollanen

Jessica Kent

Thambirajah Balachandra

Katie David

Regan Murray

Lindsay Ninivirta

Tanya Talaga

Andrew Mazurek

Program

Jump to a specific Day

Friday, October 4th(Day 1)

Registration

Session Objectives:

Breakfast & Networking

Welcome & Introductions

Target:

CanMEDS:

Forensic Pathology over my career: Sri Lanka to Canada

Session Objectives:

The growth and development of forensic pathology

Forensic pathology in Canada

Break & Networking

Coffee breaks are sponsored by The Canadian Society of Forensic Science

Update on the CMA's Apology to Indigenous Peoples

Session Objectives:

Target:

CanMEDS:

Forensic Pathology in the Arctic

Lunch & Networking

Exhibitor and Symposium is sponsored by Randox

Investigating Indigenous Deaths

Session Objectives:

CanMEDS:

Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada

Target:

CanMEDS:

Canada's residential school investigations

Break & Networking

Coffee breaks are sponsored by The Canadian Society of Forensic Science

The Role of Medicolegal Death Investigations and Indigenous People

Welcome Reception

Saturday, October 5th(Day 2)

Registration

Light breakfast

Welcome

Epidemiology and Public Health of the drug crisis in Canada

Session Objectives:

Target:

Break & Networking

Coffee breaks are sponsored by The Canadian Society of Forensic Science

Pathology and the Role of the Autopsy

Lunch & Networking

Exhibitor and Symposium is sponsored by Randox

Toxicology of Standard Opioids

Clinical Aspects of the Drug Crisis

Session Objectives:

Break & Networking

Coffee breaks are sponsored by The Canadian Society of Forensic Science

Neonatal skull fractures caused by vacuum-assisted delivery – a case report

Introduction:

Clinical Presentation:

Results:

Conclusion:

Poster Awards are sponsored by Routledge – The Taylor & Francis Group

Session Objectives:

CanMEDS:

Fatal Hemoptysis Due to Post-Transplant Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report

Poster Awards are sponsored by Routledge – The Taylor & Francis Group

Open Question & Answer session

Real-Time Fatal Drug Overdose Surveillance

Coffee breaks are sponsored by

The Canadian Society of Forensic Science

Exhibitor and Symposium is sponsored by

Randox

Coffee breaks are sponsored by

The Canadian Society of Forensic Science

Coffee breaks are sponsored by

The Canadian Society of Forensic Science

Exhibitor and Symposium is sponsored by

Randox

Coffee breaks are sponsored by

The Canadian Society of Forensic Science

Poster Awards are sponsored by

Routledge – The Taylor & Francis Group

Poster Awards are sponsored by

Routledge – The Taylor & Francis Group