An expert panel that reviewed the work of Dr. Charles Smith has told a public inquiry that he went far beyond the role of a pathologist when he investigated the suspicious deaths of children.

Members of the panel who reviewed his work told a public inquiry in Toronto on Tuesday that the former pathologist often overstated his opinion, reaching the wrong conclusion.
     
The case of baby "F" was among the 20 cases in which the panel found Smith had made mistakes.

The infant was found dead shortly after its young mother had given birth in a bathroom.
    
The woman told police she never saw any signs of life after delivery.
    
Forensic pathologist Dr. John Butt told the inquiry it's difficult to prove the baby was born alive, and even if it had been, the evidence doesn't support Smith's conclusion that the newborn was strangled by its mother.
     
Butt testified Smith overstepped his authority when he determined the death was infanticide

"The issue of blame has nothing to do with the pathologist," said Butt. "That's beyond not only proof of pathology, but also it's beyond the mandate of the pathologist. 

While Smith had determined the baby died from asphyxia, Butt said the cause of death was not clear.

Smith also had the habit of offering opinions he couldn't back up, something British pathologist Christopher Milroy testified should never be done.

"To say that you have something that you can't substantiate raises a suspicion without any objective evidence and the duty of a pathologist is to put down objective evidence," Milroy said.

Baby F's teenage mother was granted a pardon 10 years after pleading guilty to infanticide.

The inquiry continues.

With files from the Canadian Press