News Release Archive
JUSTICE--MEDICAL EXAMINER APPOINTED ------------------------------------------------------------ The appointment of Dr. John C. Butt as the province's chief medical examiner was announced today by Justice Minister Bill Gillis. Dr. Butt's appointment becomes effective Feb. 5, 1996. Dr. Butt's extensive experience in pathology and forensic medicine spans more than 20 years. He graduated from the University of Alberta's medical school in 1960. His post graduate training in pathology continued at the Vancouver General Hospital, and at several locations in London, England including the Institute of Neurology, the Guys Hospital Medical School and the Charing Cross Medical School. Along with his medical degree, he obtained a diploma in medical jurisprudence in London in 1969 and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (Britain) in 1985. He is a former chief medical examiner of Alberta, where he initiated extensive changes in the reporting, investigating and recording systems on certification of sudden death. He is a former associate professor at the University of Calgary's faculty of medicine where he was involved with resident and student teaching and rounds on forensic pathology/medicine subjects and cases. Dr. Butt has lectured extensively to national and international associations, and to police and police colleges on various subjects. He has presented such issues as "Sudden Death in Acute Asthma" and the "Pathology of Child Abuse." He has been involved with numerous professional organizations and is a former president and chair of the board of the National Association of Medical Examiners (United States). Most recently, Dr. Butt has been self employed as owner of Pathfinder Forum, which provides consultant services in forensic medicine/pathology. "Dr. Buttt is a highly skilled and extremely qualified individual, and we are delighted to have someone of his calibre take on this position," said Dr. Gillis. "He is an accomplished professional who will bring a very high level of knowledge, skills and expertise to the office of the chief medical examiner." -30- Contact: Michele McKinnon 902-424-6811 jlw Jan. 31, 1996 10:25 a.m.