Current status: Answered by Dorothy Bain on 26 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the findings of the independent review of the forensic pathology response to the Hillsborough disaster, conducted by forensic science expert, Glenn Taylor, which identified seven areas for reform, what further action forensic pathology services in Scotland can take to ensure that they engage and communicate in ways that properly understand what families coming into contact with them are experiencing.
COPFS has contracts and service level agreements with universities, local authorities, Scottish Police Authority and the NHS for pathology mortuary and toxicology services across Scotland to allow the discharge of our death investigation duties.
As part of those agreements, pathologists will meet with nearest relatives if they wish to discuss their post mortem examination findings. In our experience, these discussions are of great assistance to families in understanding what happened to their loved ones and pathologists are experienced at providing that information in a respectful and sensitive manner.
We are reviewing those agreements with all service providers and the report’s findings will be taken into account in our discussions.
COPFS ensures that nearest relatives are kept informed of decisions in relation to a post mortem and are offered a copy of the pathologist’s report if they wish.
We have also established a Death Investigation Improvement Board and work is ongoing to improve the quality and level of information provided to nearest relatives in the early stages of the investigation, including what is involved in the post mortem examination process.