Full public inquiry called into pathologist's work

The Ontario government has called a full public inquiry into the work of pathologist Dr. Charles Smith, whose work is under question in more than a dozen cases, CBC News has confirmed.

A coroner's review of Smith's work in Ontariodating back to 1991 raised concerns about his conclusions in 20 of 45 child autopsies.

Of the flagged cases, 13 had resulted in criminal convictions, with one person still behind bars.

Smith, the one-time leading expert on pediatric forensics, was working at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children when many of the examinations took place.

In response to thecoroner's findings released Thursday, Premier Dalton McGuinty stated that an inquiry into Smith's work would be held.

The government said Monday that the inquiry will be a formal one as defined by the Public Inquiries Act, which gives the commissioner the power to subpoena witnesses and documents.

Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant said a senior judge has been chosen to head the inquiry and will be named on Wednesday, according to the Canadian Press.