Alexander Litvinenko: Radioactive risk of spy’s post mortem revealed
IT was dubbed “the most dangerous post mortem examination ever undertaken in the western world”.
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Details have emerged of the lengths pathologists had to go to in order to ensure their safety when examining the body of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, who died of internal organ failure on November 23, 2006, aged 44.
The ex-FSB state security agent, who turned into a vehement critic of President Vladimir Putin, was murdered by drinking a cup of tea laced with radioactive Polonium 210 three weeks earlier on November 1.
He fell ill after meeting FSB agents Dmitry Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoy at London’s Millennium Hotel and was taken to University College Hospital.
Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, who died of internal organ failure on November 23, 2006
Alexander Litvinenko was murdered by drinking a cup of tea laced with radioactive Polonium 210
Now, two years after a public inquiry found he was likely assassinated on the orders of Putin, files show experts from specialist firm Nukem built a safety chamber at the hospital to protect pathologists during the post mortem, which was regarded as “very hazardous”.
It has been described as the most dangerous post-mortem examination ever undertaken in the western world and I think that is right
The ventilation system was turned off and surfaces covered in plastic.
A team of Home Office pathologists had to wear protective gloves and hoods, which had air pumped into them through a filter.
Litvinenko’s body had been taken from the mortuary in a double body bag able to absorb radiation.
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The ex-FSB state security agent, Alexander Litvinenko, was a critic of President Vladimir Putin
Such were the dangers, the team examined the body while it was still in the bag – they cut strategic holes to access it.
Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Nathaniel Cary, who led the team, said Litvinenko’s body was “very hazardous”.
He added: “It has been described as the most dangerous post-mortem examination ever undertaken in the western world and I think that is right.”