The Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt confirmed during his media conference that two forensic pathologists from New Zealand had travelled to Samoa and conducted post mortems on the five bodies that were at the Motootua Hospital morgue last week.
The move to expedite investigations into unexplained deaths is just another example of the current Prime Minister’s “hit the ground running” approach to leading Samoa since taking over Samoa’s government less than 5 months ago.
“Ua uma ona taunu’u mai tagata foma’i faapitoa, pathologists, ma faatino taotoga faapitoa mo tino maliliu e lima sa i le falemaliu.”
The post mortems conducted included the high profile case of Papalii Sia Figiel, a renowned Pacific novelist charged with the horrific murder of Dr Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard.
Papalii died while in Police custody on Monday morning 26 January 2025. Papalii died in custody while awaiting the Court’s decision and five months after her trial held in August last year.
The Ministry and the Office of the Attorney General moved swiftly to secure the services of a pathologist from Forensic Pathology South Island, Christchurch.
Prime Minister was happy to announce that Samoa has secured forensic pathologist partners, willing to work more regularly and consistently for Samoa, on agreements that are not so costly.
“Ou te fiafia e faailoa atu ua maua mai tatou fomai faapitoa i se tau taugofie sa le maua muamua.”
The Prime Minister added that the Attorney General was able to secure two forensic pathologists from New Zealand, willing to waive their fees, and come to Samoa in return for airfares and accommodation.
“Ua gaioi le tatou loia sili fou i ana paaga i Niu Sila lea la na maua mai ai tatou fomai e toalua lea ua iinei e leai se totogi e fai a’i taotoga ae na o accomodations ma airfares ma mea uma faapena e faatupe.”
Last month Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Afamasaga Samuelu told the media that the Fiji-based specialist who applied for the position when it was advertised informed them that he had received a higher offer elsewhere, and requested an increase to the advertised salary.
The Acting Commissioner said the Ministry had submitted a budget of $200,000 tala to the Ministry of Finance, which was approved. During Parliamentary budget discussions, it was later announced that a total of $250,000 tala had been allocated for a permanent forensic pathologist.
However Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa said that the Fijian specialist’s service is no longer needed as the Attorney General had friends overseas willing to help.
“Faafetai i le tamaitai Loia Sili o lea ua toe maua lea fesootaiga ma ua uma foi ona taooto tino maliliu e toalima.”
“Vave ma e le toe taofia ai a tatou faamoemoe, ma toe laititi le tatou tupe e alu ai.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted plans by the government to ensure Samoa has its own permanent forensic pathologist.
“O le isi laasaga for the long run, o loo iai a tatou lava fomai faapitoa, peitai, e tatau lava ona iai le isi tomai i mea tau forensic .”
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