Chamber and committees

NHS Grampian provides the postmortem toxicology service for Aberdeen, Grampian and the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) provides the service for the rest of Scotland. SPA also currently processes priority cases for the whole of Scotland.

The current average turnaround time for post mortem toxicology results for non-priority cases referred to NHS Grampian in 2024 is 15.5 days, calculated from the date the samples arrive at the laboratory.

The current average turnaround time for post mortem toxicology results for cases referred to SPA in 2024, is 28 days for priority cases and 30.8 days for non-priority cases.

These figures are within the target agreed between COPFS and the toxicology providers.

There are no delays in post mortem examinations affecting legal proceedings in Scotland.

Scottish Government officials have worked closely with UK Government counterparts to demonstrate the challenges that are faced by all stakeholders in the process.

The proposals contained in the consultation are a result of the evidence gathered and set out current thinking, as we seek to gather views and evidence on the reform proposals.

The proposed reforms are about making the determination process more efficient, not less robust. Environmental assessment standards will remain unchanged. Scottish Ministers will continue to determine each proposal on a case-by-case basis, following review of the application information, consultation responses and representations made by members of the public.

In my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I can confirm that I have not met Hill of Fare Windfarm Information Group.

COPFS has spent the following on locum forensic pathologists in Aberdeen in each of the last ten years:

NHS Grampian has provided COPFS with a commitment to implement a forensic pathology service in Aberdeen, including the recruitment of full-time forensic pathologists, and COPFS is supporting that process.

It is however a matter for NHS Grampian to recruit forensic pathologists to provide the services.

There are no issues with unascertained causes of deaths on death certificates in Aberdeen.

The certification of a person’s death is a matter that falls solely within the clinical responsibility of medical practitioners, who require to be satisfied to the best of their knowledge and belief as to the cause of death.

Following a post mortem examination, the pathologist will ordinarily certify the cause of death. In some cases, an ‘interim’ death certificate is issued by the pathologist indicating that the cause of death is unascertained until the results of further analysis - including but not limited to histopathology, toxicology and neuropathology - are obtained. This certificate allows the death to be registered and the body to be released to the family to allow funeral arrangements to be made. Once all analysis has concluded and the final cause of death is confirmed, the interim death certificate is then amended. However, in a small percentage of cases the pathologist is unable to determine a cause of death even after all such analysis is done.

There are a number of reasons why the pathologist may be unable to determine a cause of death, such as a significant delay between the date of death and the body being found.

Where a pathologist is unable to determine a cause of death, they will include in their report as much information as possible about their findings to assist nearest relatives with possible explanations for the death having occurred. COPFS will provide that information to relatives when advising them of the final cause of death.

COPFS is the client and receiver of pathology services in Scotland and is not responsible for the training of pathologists.

The forensic histopathology training programme is delivered by the NHS, following Royal College of Pathologists curriculum and in conjunction with forensic pathology service providers at NHS sites across Scotland. There are four training positions within the NHS in Scotland. Training and retention are a matter for the NHS and pathology service providers.

However, COPFS encourages the training and development of Forensic Pathology trainees in Scotland by providing exposure to Crown-instructed post mortems as part of the training programme with the assistance of service providers. As part of the training programme, Forensic Pathology trainees are encouraged to attend court to experience the court system and the methods used to obtain evidence from professional witnesses.

COPFS has provided an awareness session to paediatric pathologists in Scotland led by a senior Advocate Depute and will consider further sessions in the future.

COPFS work closely with the mortuary team and locum pathologists to ensure that post mortem examinations taking place in Aberdeen are completed within the target turnaround time in the majority of cases. Regular performance updates are provided to COPFS and stakeholders work collaboratively to address any performance issues.

All post mortems are completed by experienced NHS consultant pathologists following the Royal College of Pathologist guidance and standards.

NHS Grampian has provided COPFS with a commitment to implement a forensic pathology service in Aberdeen, including the recruitment of full-time forensic pathologists, and COPFS is supporting that process.

It is however a matter for NHS Grampian to recruit forensic pathologists to provide the services.

The reimplementation of a forensic pathology service in Aberdeen may allow one of the forensic pathologist training posts to be filled there, improving the potential for sustainable forensic services in Aberdeen and Scotland.