Kahui autopsies missed checks

Published: 7:02AM Monday May 19, 2008 Source: ONE News/Newstalk ZB

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -

A defence witness in the Kahui murder trial was critical of the way the autopsies were carried out on the Kahui twins.

The twins' father, Chris Kahui, is accused of their murders in June 2006.

Dr Terrence Donald, a forensic paediatrician from Australia, told the court the only way to determine the timing of the twins' injuries was from a reliable witness who could say when the twins were last normal.

Donald also pointed out that if certain steps were taken during the autopsy it would have more accurately pinpoint the time injuries were inflicted. He said a number of steps were missed out in the autopsies, such as examining the babies' eyes.

He said he has been involved in writing a protocol for autopsies of infants who have died suddenly, which has been adopted across much of Australia.

He said the autopsies done on the twins did not meet the standards set down in the Australian protocol.

He was the last witness for the defence.

The trial continues on Tuesday with the Crown making its closing statement which is expected to take more than a day.

The Crown argues that Kahui injured the twins on June 12, 2006 while alone in their nursery.
The twins later died 14 hours apart at Starship Hospital from severe brain damage - but Kahui denies murdering them.

The defence has counter-argued that cell phone records prove that the twins' mother, Mascyna King, had time to return home and hurt her babies.

Paediatrician Dr Patrick Kelly told the jury a week and a half ago that he had never before seen non-accidental head injuries of the type the twins had.

 


 

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -
  • more...

Latest Breakfast Video

Advertising

How do you want your news?

  • Mobile Devices

    TVNZ is available on mobile phones: Text TVNZ to 8869.

  • News Feeds

    See when TVNZ have added new content. You can get the latest headlines anywhere.

  • Podcasts

    Enjoy TVNZ on the move - a wide range of programmes and highlights are available.