Written Question · S4W-23506 · Session 4
What it considers an acceptable period of time that may elapse between (a) a sudden and (b) an unexplained death and a post mortem and what…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what it considers an acceptable period of time that may elapse between (a) a sudden and (b) an unexplained death and a post mortem and what guidance it produces on this.
The answer
It is a matter for the Procurator Fiscal whether or not a post mortem examination is required following the report of a sudden and unexplained death to The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
The Procurator Fiscal will instruct a post mortem examination for all suspicious deaths; all deaths which remain unexplained after further initial investigation; and in a number of other situations where there are concerns about the circumstances or cause of the death. There is guidance to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to the extent and nature of the investigations which should take place in Chapter 12 of the Book of Regulations published at:
http://www.copfs.gov.uk/images/Documents/Prosecution_Policy_Guidance/Book_of_Regulations/Book%20of%20Regulations%20-%20Chapter%2012%20-%20Deaths%20-%20Part%201.PDF
A post mortem examination should take place as soon as possible after the report of a death to the Procurator Fiscal and will often take place within a few days of the date of death. In the majority of cases we would expect a post mortem examination to occur within three to five working days of the date of instruction of the post mortem examination.
It is not always the case that a sudden and unexplained death occurs around the same time as the death is reported to the Procurator Fiscal. For example a body may be discovered some time after the death, and the death then reported to the Procurator Fiscal who will determine whether a post mortem examination should be instructed.
The Procurator Fiscal will instruct a post mortem examination for all suspicious deaths; all deaths which remain unexplained after further initial investigation; and in a number of other situations where there are concerns about the circumstances or cause of the death. There is guidance to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to the extent and nature of the investigations which should take place in Chapter 12 of the Book of Regulations published at:
http://www.copfs.gov.uk/images/Documents/Prosecution_Policy_Guidance/Book_of_Regulations/Book%20of%20Regulations%20-%20Chapter%2012%20-%20Deaths%20-%20Part%201.PDF
A post mortem examination should take place as soon as possible after the report of a death to the Procurator Fiscal and will often take place within a few days of the date of death. In the majority of cases we would expect a post mortem examination to occur within three to five working days of the date of instruction of the post mortem examination.
It is not always the case that a sudden and unexplained death occurs around the same time as the death is reported to the Procurator Fiscal. For example a body may be discovered some time after the death, and the death then reported to the Procurator Fiscal who will determine whether a post mortem examination should be instructed.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-23506 by reference.