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Swedish doctor probed over 20 deaths

Published: 12 Apr 10 09:22 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/26020/20100412/

The police murder investigation against a doctor working at Växjö hospital in southern Sweden has been extended after his predictions over when patients would die were shown to be extremely accurate.

The allegations came to light in the beginning of December when the daughter of an 83-year-old woman accused the experienced doctor of having administered a lethal injection of potassium, according to a report in the Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) daily.

The letter, sent to Växjö Central Hospital, has led to a police murder investigation against the doctor which has now been extended to a possible 20 cases in which the doctor has accurately predicted when the patients would die.

"It's remarkable. The time of death matches very well when compared with the projections contained in medical records," said prosecutor John Henningsson to the newspaper.

Henningsson now wants medical experts to analyse ten to twenty deaths that occurred while the doctor was employed at the department. But neither the National Welfare Board (Socialstyrelsen) nor the National Board of Forensic Medicine (Rättsmedicinalverket) are prepared to review the journals.

"It is a bit strange. We are ready to hand over the material but do not know where to turn to find the medical expertise," said Johan Henningsson to SvD.

The welfare board has expressed concerns over a possible conflict of interest, while the forensic medicine board has replied that the request is outside their responsibilities. Henningsson will now consult with his superiors at his Kalmar office before deciding how to proceed.

In the case of the 83-year-old woman the doctor is suspected of murder, while there are currently no further criminal suspicions against the doctor in respect of the other deaths.

Peter Vinthagen Simpson
news@thelocal.se
+46 8 656 6513

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11:33 April 12, 2010 by Audrian
The tradition of interference in the right to die has much to do with religion and the definition of life after death thereof. Through the centuries old ideas have given way to new ideas. Likewise institutions have evolved, so also the definition of life: Evolution has challenged creationism and democracy challenged autocracy, but the laws governing human society have not caught with these changes. It is a pity that religion continues to parade outside rational thinking.
12:44 April 12, 2010 by jack sprat
Is this a Swedish version of Harold Shipman?
14:31 April 12, 2010 by GLO
Just cool down.. Not enough info yet !!!
18:43 April 12, 2010 by moh
20 guys met joe black
19:16 April 12, 2010 by waybackwhen
@Audrian

What are you rabitting on about ? Have you taken your medicine today ?
21:00 April 12, 2010 by voiceofreason
Common sense is becoming subservient to Science and Statistics. The pride in man makes him to think he is in total control and posses all knowledge therefore dispensing with norms, ethics, culture and all the guiding post that the ancients built our world with.
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