Kerala’s first woman forensic surgeon, Shirley Vasu, who played a crucial role in solving many controversial and high-profile police cases, including the Soumya murder case, died in Kozhikode on Thursday. She was 68.
She collapsed at her home and was rushed to Kozhikode Medical College, but her life could not be saved. She was former head of the Forensic Department at Kozhikode Medical College. She was serving as the Head of the Forensic Department at KMCT Medical College, Kozhikode.
During her 3 decade-old career, Vasu attended thousands of autopsy examinations, including in the Soumya murder case. She also excelled as an academic, instilling knowledge about forensic medicine in the minds of hundreds of medical students.
The forensic expert had published articles in many national and international journals, and won several awards. She has also undergone training in the field of “Atrocities against Women and Children” with Raine Roberts at SARC- St. Mary’s Hospital and Royal Infirmary, Manchester and Greater Policing Authority U.K.
She has also undergone training in Forensic Pathology – dealing with terrorism training with Ian R. Hill, GUY’S Hospital, University of London and Scotland Yard Police, U.K