heading up an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of an American visitor.

P.c. Volney Welch received congratulations and thanks from Coroner Will Francis, three lawyers and the family of victim Mia Warren during yesterday's inquest into the 21-year-old waitress' death at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in June, 1997.

P.c. Welch's investigation included the compiling of evidence from surgeons, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers and the victim's family.

"Officer, I would like to commend you for doing such truly excellent, comprehensive work in regards to this case,'' Mr. Francis said.

Coroner's officer Sgt. Phil Taylor called the Policeman to the stand yesterday as the last witness of the inquiry which has, since Monday, been detailing the last few days of Ms Warren's life to a four-man, four-woman jury.

The evidence P.c. Welch was about to give was discarded, however, after Mr.

Francis ruled that it did not seem right "that a Policeman should be giving an opinion about the actions of doctors''.

"If this was an incident involving a road accident, it would be different,'' Mr. Francis said "However, I think that P.c. Welch's testimony in this matter could only serve to unfairly influence the jury.'' Ms Warren's death was revealed by an autopsy to have been caused by staphylococcal meningitis, a bacterial infection of the outer portion of the brain.

In this case, infection had started when an abscess, formed around one of two Harrington Rods inserted into her back after a June, 1995 road accident, ruptured.

Earlier proceedings included testimonies from the deceased's mother Jody Lynn Hays, psychiatrist Dr. Gareth Smith, and specialist in internal medicine Dr.

Wilbert Warner.

Thursday's session, in which the orthopaedic surgeon in charge of Ms Warren's case, Dr. Steven Trott, gave testimony, brought evidence to light that the Memphis, Tennessee resident had been admitted to hospital under the mistaken working diagnosis of "mechanical back pain''.

It was not until her fourth day in hospital that her infection was discovered and, despite being administered intravenous antibiotics, she died on June 5.

A summary of Dr. Trott's testimony was read out to him yesterday and, with P.c. Welch's findings being left unheard, that was the last evidence to be submitted.

Deciding that this case deserved "a special amount of time and attention'', Mr. Francis adjourned it until Monday morning when he will read out a final summary of evidence to the jury and they will retire to decide the verdict.

Mia Warren