Autopsy images of Ngatikaura Ngati
Encyclopedia
Ngatikaura Ngati was a New Zealand
-Tongan toddler who died in of child abuse
in January 2006. He is notable for the deliberate release of official autopsy
photographs after his death and the subsequent distribution of those photographs on the internet. The controversy can be seen as an instance of the tension between the desire for privacy and respect for victims of family violence and the need for publicity to motivate changes in public attitudes to family violence.
environment until shortly after his third birthday when he was returned to his birth mother, at her request. Maine Ngati, her partner, Teusila Fa'asisila, and their other children only speak English. Within three months, Ngati was dead. Photos taken during the autopsy showed bruises from repeated beatings and weeping sores the size of a man's hand on his bottom. Maine and Teusila were found not guilty of murder
but guilty of the manslaughter
, each was sentenced to 6 and a half years in prison, with a non-parole period that was reduced on appeal.
, which was investigated, but not upheld. Previous Commissioner Roger McClay said, however, the photos of Ngatikaura's battered body could only raise awareness of the "epidemic" of child abuse, which New Zealanders had not yet twigged. Inspector Richard Middleton, who was involved in the original police case said publishing the photos could have a positive effect and help to prevent further abuse.
The images were also circulated in an email sent by a protest group calling for tougher jail terms for child abusers, with Kiro calling their use abhorrent. Ngati's name (but not images) were used by Family First
to advocate tougher sentences for child abuse and to highlight female family violence perpetrators. The images have also been used on placard
s.
Some time later the photos appear on NSFW
internet shock sites. Current Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills said he was appalled at their use. Despite the images being taken during a New Zealand autopsy, the images were a component of a DCMA complaint between shock sites lodged with Google
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
-Tongan toddler who died in of child abuse
Child abuse
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
in January 2006. He is notable for the deliberate release of official autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
photographs after his death and the subsequent distribution of those photographs on the internet. The controversy can be seen as an instance of the tension between the desire for privacy and respect for victims of family violence and the need for publicity to motivate changes in public attitudes to family violence.
Life and Death
Ngati had been fostered to a cousin of his birth mother and was being raised in a Tongan languageTongan language
Tongan is an Austronesian language spoken in Tonga. It has around 200,000 speakers and is a national language of Tonga. It is a VSO language.-Related languages:...
environment until shortly after his third birthday when he was returned to his birth mother, at her request. Maine Ngati, her partner, Teusila Fa'asisila, and their other children only speak English. Within three months, Ngati was dead. Photos taken during the autopsy showed bruises from repeated beatings and weeping sores the size of a man's hand on his bottom. Maine and Teusila were found not guilty of murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
but guilty of the manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
, each was sentenced to 6 and a half years in prison, with a non-parole period that was reduced on appeal.
Distribution of the Images
In an controversial move, a judge allowed the publishing of autopsy photos. After they were used in a television program broadcast on 6 August 2007 at 6pm on TV One, Children’s Commissioner Dr Cindy Kiro lodged a complaint with the Broadcasting Standards AuthorityBroadcasting Standards Authority
The Broadcasting Standards Authority is a New Zealand Crown Entity created by the Broadcasting Act 1989 to develop and uphold standards of broadcasting for radio, free-to-air and pay television.The main functions of the BSA are:...
, which was investigated, but not upheld. Previous Commissioner Roger McClay said, however, the photos of Ngatikaura's battered body could only raise awareness of the "epidemic" of child abuse, which New Zealanders had not yet twigged. Inspector Richard Middleton, who was involved in the original police case said publishing the photos could have a positive effect and help to prevent further abuse.
The images were also circulated in an email sent by a protest group calling for tougher jail terms for child abusers, with Kiro calling their use abhorrent. Ngati's name (but not images) were used by Family First
Family First New Zealand
Family First New Zealand is a conservative advocacy group in New Zealand.It formed in March 2006 with former Radio Rhema talkback host and South Auckland social worker Bob McCoskrie as the National Director...
to advocate tougher sentences for child abuse and to highlight female family violence perpetrators. The images have also been used on placard
Placard
A placard is a notice installed in a public place, like a small card, sign, or plaque. It can be attached to or hung from a vehicle or building to indicate information about the vehicle operator or contents of a vehicle or building.- Buildings :...
s.
Some time later the photos appear on NSFW
NSFW
Not suitable/safe for work , not work-suitable/safe , or not school-suitable is Internet slang or shorthand...
internet shock sites. Current Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills said he was appalled at their use. Despite the images being taken during a New Zealand autopsy, the images were a component of a DCMA complaint between shock sites lodged with Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
.