Sask. coroner's office to undergo external review

Saskatchewan's justice ministersays the coroner's office will undergo an independent review, after a juryfoundthe province's chief forensic pathologist unfairly assessed another doctor who was trying to get a job there.

"There will be an external review of the coroner's office with regard to this case and the overall operation of that office," said Don Morgan.

• Sask. man awarded $5M in lawsuit against coroner's office over assessment

The jury found last week that Dr. ShaunLadhamand the coroner's office were either dishonest or acted in bad faith while assessingDr. JeffreyRacette'sskills.

"The doctor [Ladham] is still working now," Morgan said. "The officials within the ministry say they have confidence in the work that's being done and do not believe that there's anything that's been compromised as a result of that. But whoever is doing the external review will obviously look at all aspects of it."

The juryawarded Racette$5 million in a verdict the government says prosecutors intendto appeal.

Morgan said the review is necessary to maintain public confidence in the coroner's office.

The coroner's office underwent an internal review last year, after criticisms were raised about why an inquest had not initially been held into the death of Nadine Machiskinic at a Regina hotel.