PNP forensic experts impress US counterparts

The American forensic pathologists were "impressed" and "satisfied" with how their Filipino counterparts from the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted last Saturday the post-mortem examination on the remains of slain US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell. PNP Crime Laboratory director Chief Superintendent Arturo Cacdac said the US experts thoroughly observed the six-hour process, from 9am to 3pm, which was conducted at the morgue of the Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium in Makati City, led by medico-legal officer Chief Inspector Mamerto Bernabe Jr. "In fairness to my medico-legal officers, they (US observers) were impressed with our own medical officers and pathologists because they really conducted a very thorough procedure," Cacdac said. US Embassy in Manila Deputy Press Attache Stacy MacTaggert said three forensic experts arrived in the country last Saturday from the United States to observe the autopsy on Campbell's cadaver. Cacdac repeatedly stressed that the US experts only observed the procedure and did not in any way actually participate on it. The PNP Crime Lab had announced immediately after the autopsy on Saturday afternoon that the body was that of Campbell's, based on the odontological examination, and that the cause of death was multiple traumatic blunt injuries to the head. MacTaggert did not say if the American experts are still in Manila or have already left the country. Cacdac had said that the official results of the autopsy will be reported to PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon anytime Monday or Tuesday, and then forwarded later to the police in Cordillera Region and in Ifugao province for use in the filing of case against the suspected killer. Police in the Cordillera identified Juan Duntogan, 25, a wood carver, as the alleged killer of the 40-year-old Campbell. Campbell was a peace corps volunteer in the Philippines since March 2005. The Virginia native was last seen alive last April 8 before she went on hiking in Barangay Battad, Banaue town in Ifugao. But 10 days later, she was found dead in said barangay, buried under muddy soil and grass except for her foot. - GMANews.TV