Peter Vanezis

Peter Vanezis, OBE, M.B., Ch.B., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.Path., F.R.C.P. (Glasg.), F.F.F.L.M., F.C.S.F.S., F.A.F.M.S. (UK),  D.M.J. (Path).

I qualified in Medicine at the University of Bristol Medical School in 1972. I joined the Forensic Medicine Department at the London Hospital Medical College in 1974. I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in Forensic Medicne in 1979. I joined Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School in 1990 as Reader and Head of Department. In 1993 I was appointed as the regius Professor of Forensic Medicne and Science. In 2003 I moved back to London as Chief Forensic Medical Officer for the Forensic Science Service. In 2006, I was appointed to the new chair of Forensic Medical Sciences which I founded at Barts and the London. I became Emeritis Professor in 2018.

I have been a forensic pathologist since 1974 and have been involved in many high profile cases including the death of Princess Diana. I have participated and lead teams in aircraft accidents and other mass disasters and I lead the British team in Kosovo to investigate mass graves in 1999. I was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List June 2001, for Forensic Pathology Services in Kosovo.

Whilst in Glagow I established the first Human Identification Centre and the Centre for International Forensic Assistance.I have over 120 publications in peer reviewed journals, three textbooks and one in preparation as well as ten chapters in textbooks. I have also contributed to many international meetings. I have been the Editor in Chief of Medicine, Science and the Law and on the editorial board of other major forensic journals.

My research interests involve, various aspects of forensic pathology, identification and developing educational needs. I have three awards from the BMA and a number of other research grants toatally over six million pounds. 

In 2010 I established the Academy of Forensic Medical Sciences of whoich I am the Principal and Director, to promote education and training in forensic medicine. We currently train Malaysian doctors in forensic pathology, run three diploma courses and from 2019, a joint Masters course with the University of Verona.