Question reference: S5W-21302
- Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 30 January 2019
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 26 February 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Police Scotland should have a duty to provide a service for the families of resident Scots who have died abroad in suspicious circumstances, including (a) deploying family liaison officers and (b) working with other organisations where necessary.
Answer
It is important to remember that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are responsible for providing consular support to families whose loved ones have died abroad.
However, one of the most important considerations throughout the investigation of a death is providing support to the family of the deceased, who must be treated appropriately, professionally, with respect and according to their diverse needs.
In the event of the death, where there is a police investigation, the police have a duty to communicate effectively and inclusively with the bereaved family. On most occasions this can be achieved by deploying a trained Family Liaison Officer (FLO).
Although considered, Police Scotland FLOs will not be deployed in all cases where a Scots domicile is murdered, or the victim of another serious crime abroad. They will generally only be deployed if there is an investigative role for them, such as when identification of the victim is an issue or the foreign police service is requesting that enquiries are conducted in the UK.
Furthermore, if the victim’s body is returned to Scotland, then the local Procurator Fiscal may instruct local enquiry to be carried out to clarify how the person died and FLOs can assist in these circumstances.