A CORONER has recommended a Deniliquin doctor be banned from conducting autopsies after the botched examination of a man found dead on the Murray River.
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Bradley James Miller died on the banks of the river in the Koondrook State Forest between May 12 and May 31, 2013.
Mr Miller had failed to attend work on the west coast of Tasmania on May 14.
The Victorian homicide squad began investigating 10 days later and Mr Miller’s utility was located on May 27.
A water bottle with the bottom quarter cut off and a disposable razor were located west of the vehicle.
An empty double strength pack of Ratsak was located at the base of a tree, and a jumper, bottle of rum and the bottom section of the water bottle were found about 190 metres from the vehicle.
His body was discovered on May 31.
Mr Miller’s family told police they believed he had either been murdered or committed suicide.
Dr Peter Robinson conducted an autopsy on Mr Miller’s body a week later, followed by an amended report 11 days later.
The autopsy reports have been strongly criticised by coroner Helen Barry, who noted in her report that Robinson recorded the first autopsy occurring more than four months before Miller’s death.
Dr Robinson had described conducting an internal investigation on a woman and had only x-rayed Mr Miller’s face and skull.
He did not take any forensic samples apart from a small amount of blood.
The doctor stated in his report the death “had taken place within minutes, which the coroner criticised.
“This is clearly an invalid statement, there being no evidence to support that assertion,” she stated in her findings.
“In essence, these two reports are manifestly inadequate and deserving of criticism.
“Not only does the lack of care in conducting the autopsy and recording the findings add to the distress of the family, but it severely limits the use of these documents for the purposes of the inquest.”
Ms Barry said the was not enough evidence to prove suicide.
The quality of the autopsy was so poor that it had resulted in a loss of physical evidence which could have provided answers to family members, the coroner noted.
The cause of death was therefore listed as undetermined.
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