Army hospital returns dead cadet’s organs for 2nd autopsy

BANGKOK, Nov 23 (TNA) – Parents of the dead cadet retrieved removed organs of their son from Phramongkutklao Hospital for the second autopsy at the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) amid uncertainty of their son’s death. Pakapong 'Moei' Tanyakan was at the military preparatory school in Nakhon Nayok when he was sent to hospital with a weak heartbeat on Oct 17 and was later pronounced dead. The death certificate indicates he died of acute heart failure. Due to the unusual nature of the death, his body was sent for an autopsy at Phramongkut Hospital. His family remained in doubt and decided to send the body for the second autopsy at CIFS, where some important organs were found having been removed in the first autopsy procedure. The result of the second autopsy is expected to be known within one week after the missing organs were delivered to the CIFS today. Meanwhile, famous forensic expert, Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, CIFS’s former chief said that she had no suspicion in organ removal in forensic procedures but it should be made clear about the cause of the death and where the cadet died in the first place. She suggested that Thailand’s forensic autopsies should be improved to meet the international standard as part of the justice process reform in the future. If the death is reported in government agencies, the United Nations practice should be adopted and a central agency must take part in investigation to ensure fairness and transparency. (TNA)