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.