No flooding of the cerebral ventricles or brain displacement
Lungs: pulmonary congestion affecting the entirety of both lungs, leaving only two segments
of the upper lobe of the left lung operational
Systolic cardiac arrest; heart displays no vascular or valvular lesions
Stomach distended, contains no food
Small haematoma of the pelvis with perforation of the rectosigmoid junction
"Conclusion:
"Death would appear to have resulted from acute respiratory insufficiency related to the
extensive pulmonary congestion."
2.6
The author has also provided the Committee with a copy of the report drawn up in February 1992 by
Mr. Derrick Pounder, Professor of Forensic Medicine at the University of Dundee (United Kingdom) at the
request of Amnesty International, which had taken an interest in the case. That report, which was prepared on
the basis of the autopsy report, indicated, inter alia, that:
"The pattern of injuries described in the autopsy report is inconsistent with the deceased having died
in a road traffic accident as a pedestrian, pedal cyclist, motor cyclist or vehicle occupant.
"The pattern of injuries indicates that they were the result of a systematic beating by one or more other
persons.
"The type and pattern of injuries excludes the possibility of deliberate self-infliction.
"The autopsy report describes a "small haematoma of the pelvis with perforation of the rectosigmoid
junction". Such an injury would be unlikely to occur in a road traffic accident and then only in
association with severe fractures of the pelvic bones, which were not present in this instance. An injury
of this type is typically the result of the insertion of a foreign object into the anus. The production of
this injury would have required the forcible insertion of a foreign object for a length of 6 inches or
more.
"The perforation of the rectosigmoid junction ... may cause sudden death as the result of shock and an
induced abnormality of heart rhythm. Associated with a sudden death by this mechanism would be
extensive pulmonary congestion (blood overloading of the lungs), as seen in this case ...
"The autopsy report describes no injury other than perforation of the rectosigmoid junction and no
natural disease which might otherwise account for the death. There were bruises on the soles of both
feet. Such injuries would be unusual in a road traffic death ... The only plausible explanation for the
bruising of the soles of the feet is repeated blows using a heavy instrument ...
"The autopsy report describes extensive bruising with major oedema (i.e. swelling) of the buttocks.
Such an injury pattern would be extremely unusual in a road traffic accident and, if present, would
invariably be associated with fractures of the underlying bones, which were not present in this instance.
The only plausible explanation for the bruising to the buttocks is repeated blows ...
"In summary, the autopsy report reveals that this man died as the result of the forceful insertion of a
foreign object at least 6 inches into the anus. Prior to his death, he had been beaten about the soles of
63
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