Forensic science is critical in the search for justice and the fight against impunity. Yet many countries in Africa have few practising forensic pathologists. One medical institute in Switzerland is working to change this. On the days when Tidianie Mogue has an autopsy to perform, the medical examiner pulls on her protective gear – disposable gown, gloves, cap and shoe covers. The Central Hospital of Yaoundé where she works may be the largest in Cameroon, but it doesn’t always have the funds to cover the cost of these basic tools of the trade. “Each examiner has to fight for the material they need,” says Mogue in a video call with SWI swissinfo.ch. “Sometimes we ask the families [of the deceased] to make a contribution so we can buy gloves or scalpels.” The challenges don’t end there: Mogue and the three other forensic pathologists at the hospital make do with rudimentary autopsy rooms, in some cases consisting of just a table and a water tap. For years the doctors have...
