In a “battle of medical examiners”, who are asked with their special knowledge to help judges and juries issue their verdict leading to the guilt or innocence of Roula Pispirigou, who is sitting on the bench of the Mixed Jury Court of Athens, whose judgment the this time in the case of the death of her two youngest children, Malena and Iris.
On the witness stand today was the head of the forensic service of Patras, Angelikis Tsiola, who drafted the forensic report on the death of 6-month-old Iris Daskalakis, identifying as the cause of death the agenesis of a sinus node.
During today’s proceedings, the court accepted the request of the defense to present perhaps the most important piece of evidence for this part of the case, which is not from the “rag” allegedly used by the accused Roula Pispirigou to obstruct a baby’s airways.
“I propose to produce the rag allegedly used by the defendant to block the child’s airways,” said the district attorney, as the court finally accepted the relevant request.
Beginning her narrative, the witness described:
“It was March 2021, Sunday, that I received a phone call from Karamandanio about a dead infant and they told me the time of death. The Police Department then informed me verbally that there is a sudden death. On Monday, a day later, I was informed that the signage for photography of the place is gone. They informed me that the parents had taken a bib of the child, the famous cloth, to the police station on Sunday night, which was then sent to our service. I started the utopia there,” said the witness.
Afterwards, the witness, answering questions about the conversation she had with the child’s parents, Manos Daskalakis and Roula Pispirigou, said: “They told me that they had a 3.5-year-old child who passed away, that an autopsy was performed . They expressed their displeasure to me and that they had filed a lawsuit against everyone responsible. I was told Malena’s cause of death was liver failure. They were particularly concerned and told me about some delays in information, but I don’t remember telling you.”
Referring to how it was concluded that the cause of death was agenesis of the sinus node, Ms. Tsiola said it arose from the histopathology report. “The pathologist Antigoni Mitselos told me that she found the cause of death. She told me that they don’t often do this, but she herself performed a procedure and determined that the cause of death was sinus agenesis-hypoplasia.”
Ms. Tsiola also testified that if he had the information that had come to light, he would have requested a new pathology examination. “I would request a reassessment at a specialist centre. It must be established whether the sinus was there after all. I would also request an examination by another pathologist.”
- Chairman: You are on the fact that the child looks perfect, the pediatric checkup is good and genetic testing does not find anything consistent with sinus agenesis, with these data today what cause of death would you give?
- witness: Uncertain cause of death.
- Chairman: In the questioning you answered asthma, what changed?
- witness: Then I was committed to the second pathogoloanatomist Eftychiadis, as I was committed to Mitselos.
- Chairman: That is, even if you do not understand how you take it?
- witness: The pathologist reached an official diagnosis, how can I dispute it?
The trial continues with the examination of Ms. Chiola.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Forensic Expert Angeliki Tsiola
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Angeliki. Thank you for joining us today. The ongoing court case involving Roula Pispirigou has garnered significant attention. As the head of the forensic service in Patras, you played a critical role in the investigation of this case. Can you begin by sharing some insights into your involvement?
Angelikis Tsiola: Good morning, and thank you for having me. My involvement began in March 2021 when I received a call regarding the death of 6-month-old Iris Daskalakis. Given the circumstances — a sudden infant death — I was tasked with conducting a thorough investigation, which included drafting the forensic report that ultimately identified the cause of death as agenesis of the sinus node.
Time.news Editor: That sounds complex. Can you explain what agenesis of the sinus node is and how it may have contributed to Iris’s death?
Angelikis Tsiola: Of course. The sinus node, or sinoatrial node, is essentially the heart’s natural pacemaker, responsible for regulating heartbeats. Agenesis means that this structure was underdeveloped or absent. Unfortunately, this condition can lead to severe arrhythmias or even sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in infants. In Iris’s case, this was determined to be the cause of her untimely death.
Time.news Editor: In court, you mentioned a piece of evidence regarding a “rag” allegedly used to obstruct the child’s airways. How critical was this evidence in your assessment of the situation?
Angelikis Tsiola: The so-called “rag” is indeed a significant piece of evidence. During the proceedings, the district attorney requested to produce this item, which allegedly was used by Roula Pispirigou. Understanding whether this item could have contributed to Iris’s death is essential, as it may indicate foul play or confirm the medical findings of natural causes. It’s a key point in determining the context surrounding the tragedy.
Time.news Editor: You also mentioned interactions with the parents during your investigation. Could you tell us what they revealed about Iris and her sibling Malena’s cases?
Angelikis Tsiola: Yes, during my conversation with Roula and Manos Daskalakis, they expressed their distress not just over Iris’s death, but also the loss of their 3.5-year-old daughter, Malena. They provided me with details about Malena’s case, including that she had died from liver failure. They were understandably upset, feeling delays in information were complicating their grieving process.
Time.news Editor: Given the emotional nature of these cases and the legal implications, how important is it for forensic experts to remain objective throughout such investigations?
Angelikis Tsiola: Objectivity is paramount in forensic science. Our role is to present the facts and evidence as they are, without bias. The emotional weight of each case can be overwhelming, but it’s crucial to focus on the data and findings, providing accurate information to the court to aid in the pursuit of justice. This is not just about determining guilt or innocence; it’s about understanding what truly happened.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Angeliki. Your insights shed light on a tragic situation that has captivated many. As the trial continues, the implications of your findings could be profound, not just for this family but for the broader discussion on child safety and forensic science in legal contexts.
Angelikis Tsiola: Thank you for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to share this important work, and I hope it contributes to a better understanding of these sensitive issues.
Time.news Editor: We look forward to your future updates as the case unfolds. Thank you once again for your time.