N.Y. Medical Examiner Faces Review
The city’s chief medical examiner on Sunday dismissed allegations that he altered autopsy reports to protect police from prosecution for wrongful deaths. Mayor Edward I. Koch ordered a review of the allegations.
“There is nothing I do that would foil or attempt to foil a prosecution,” Dr. Elliot Gross said. “There has been no intentional misleading in any instance.”
The New York Times, quoting employees of the medical examiner’s office and other forensic experts, said Sunday that Gross issued misleading autopsy reports in several sensitive cases involving persons who died in police custody--sometimes ordering changes in reports submitted by his staff.
Koch said he had directed Dr. David Sencer, commissioner of health, and Frederick A.O. Schwarz Jr., corporation counsel, to review the allegations.
“Dr. Sencer and Mr. Schwarz will advise me by Friday as to how they will conduct the review and when a full report can be expected,” Koch said.
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