March 25, 2019

A delegation of eight guests, including Carrie Sperling, co-director of the Wisconsin Innocence Project (WIP); Travis Sevy, deputy consular section chief of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); and Lo Shih-Hsiang, director of the Taiwan Association for Innocence (TAI), came to the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) at 14:30 on March 25, 2019 to call on IFM Acting Director General Yang Hsiu-Lan. The guests had a guided tour of the forensic pathology laboratory, toxicology laboratory, and biology laboratory (including the DNA Storeroom) in the IFM. In a general discussion, the host and guests exchanged opinions fully in a cordial atmosphere.

Speaking at the meeting, Acting Director General Yang mentioned that in order to improve the quality of identification and advance various testing techniques, the IFM has started pushing for the accreditation of its laboratories and has spent three years to upgrade its hardware and software facilities. The IFM applied for the accreditation of its laboratories with the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF) in 2011. In the same year, the IFM’s three laboratories – the Forensic Pathology Laboratory, the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, and the Forensic Biology Laboratory – got the ISO 17025 and ILAC-G19 accreditation certificates, indicating that IFM’s quality and expertise of forensic identification are in line with the international standards. Given that the IFM handles 90 percent of forensic autopsy and identification requests in Taiwan, the accreditation of the Forensic Pathology Laboratory can improve the quality and caliber of forensic and pathological diagnosis. Furthermore, the Forensic Biology Laboratory is ahead of other forensic DNA testing units in Taiwan with its six accredited lab testing methods. The Forensic Toxicology Division’s Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, with a total of 33 certificates of accreditation as of 2018, has more accredited testing procedures for drugs and toxic substances than other forensic units in Taiwan. With numerous certificates of laboratory accreditation, the IFM’s three laboratories can provide more identification services to meet the needs of the judiciary and investigation agencies.     

The advancement of forensic sciences is a key indicator of better protection of human rights by the judiciary. To reduce the number of retrials and avoid wrongful convictions through judicial reform, the fundamental work of consolidating the evidence of crime cannot be ignored. To protect human rights, uphold justice, and avoid wrongful convictions, it is essential to improve the quality of forensic identification and inspections and highlight its effect on judicial reform. Acting Director General Yang believed that the above guests had gained a better understanding of the forensic work after visiting the IFM. Since their visit to the IFM was brief, she suggested that relevant persons keep in touch with each other and have a discussion again in the future.

In conclusion, Acting Director General Yang said this is the first time the IFM and workers from the WIP and the TAI exchange their views face to face. She believes that both sides have had a deeper understanding of each other’s concepts and perspectives. She is also hopeful of the cooperation between the two sides in the future and expects that participants in the meeting will continue their efforts to promote judicial fairness and justice.  

IFM Acting Director General Yang Hsiu-Lan presents a souvenir to Professor Carrie Sperling, co-director of the Wisconsin Innocence Project (WIP).

A group photo of IFM Acting Director General Yang Hsiu-Lan, former IFM Director General Tu Da-Ren, Professor Carrie Sperling, AIT Deputy Consular Section Chief Travis Sevy, TAI Director Lo Shih-Hsiang, and Forensic Pathology Division Chief Hsu Cho-Hsien.