Da Vinci's Inquest inspiration to help inquiry into pathologist

The real-life inspiration for CBC-TV drama Da Vinci's Inquest will be helping a public inquiry into the work of former Toronto pathologist Dr. Charles Smith.

Senator Larry Campbell, who has worked as a Mountie, coroner and Vancouver's mayor, will chair a panel of scientists and medical experts to assist the inquiry.

Heading the public inquiry will be Ontario Superior Court Justice Stephen Goudge.

The Ontario government called an inquiry after acoroner's review of Smith's findingson 45 child autopsies flagged 20 as questionable — 12 ofwhich had resulted in criminal convictions.

Smith, once considered a leading expert in forensic science, had conducted many of those examinations during his time at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children.

Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant says thecommissioner will have one year to completethework.