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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Question reference: S6W-28071

  • Date lodged: 7 June 2024
  • Current status: Answered by Dorothy Bain on 19 June 2024

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to fatal accident inquiries, how many cases the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit (SFIU) of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has investigated in each of the last 10 years, and what the comparative figure was for each of the last 10 years in which the former unit for investigating deaths was in operation before it was replaced by the SFIU.


Answer

In relation to each of the last ten years, the number of deaths reported to the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit (SFIU) of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has been as follows:

Financial Year

Deaths Reported

2014-15

9,173

2015-16

9,579

2016-17

10,931

2017-18

10,865

2018-19

10,397

2019-20

10,921

2020-21

15,739

2021-22

15,377

2022-23

14,147

2023-24

13,218

The comparative figures of deaths reported to the Procurator Fiscal for each of the last ten years prior to the commencement of SFIU on 1 April 2012 are as follows:

 

Financial Year

Deaths Reported

2002-03

14,508

2003-04

13,885

2004-05

13,786

2005-06

13,746

2006-07

13,572

2007-08

13,457

2008-09

13,608

2009-10

13,498

2010-11

13,112

2011-12

11,671

The extent of the investigation that requires to be carried out will depend on the particular circumstances of each death. A decision to conclude a death investigation may be able to be taken in the very early stages or after extensive enquiries have taken place. There are often legitimate reasons for prolonged enquiry before a decision on the conclusion of an investigation or the holding of an FAI can be taken, including the need to await the outcome of investigations by reporting agencies, to consider reports from other agencies or to instruct and receive expert opinion. It is not therefore possible to provide figures for every death investigation where the holding of an FAI has been in contemplation.