The one-and-a-half-day seminar brought together nearly 40 Uzbek medical examiners and forensic pathologists from all regions of Uzbekistan on 15-16 December.

?Dr Michael Pollanen, Medical Director and Forensic Pathologist of the Toronto Forensic Pathology Unit, and Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Toronto in Canada, covered internationally accepted best practices in autopsy techniques and the evaluation of medical evidence in identifying signs of torture and abuse,? the release of the US Embassy said.

The Honorable Supreme Court Judge Kholmurod Khasanov gave a presentation on recent developments in the law, including the Plenum?s Resolution of 24 September 2004 which bans the use of evidence obtained by torture or other illegal means. As Judge Khasanov explained, this resolution ?is aimed at establishing rule of law and the truth in a criminal proceeding, and the truth can only be established by presenting evidence.?

The event, which was organized and sponsored by the US Department of Justice and the US Embassy, is part of an ongoing project to strengthen efforts at investigating and prosecuting torture and abuse.