The Forensic PM Process Controlled Chaos

1
The Forensic PM Process -Controlled Chaos
Jeff Adams
2
Overview

• The Investigations
• Tissue Handling
• Information Handling
• Implications for DIs

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
3
Investigations
Coroner Coroners Act Coroners Rules
Police Police Criminal Evidence Act Criminal
Procedure Investigations Act
O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
4
Tissue
Retention
Forensic Science
FP
Scene
Medical Specialist
Police
FP
Other
Mortuary
Police
O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
5
Information
Family
Family Liaison
FP
Scene
Public
Coroners Officer
SIO
Accused
SOCO
Others
Forensic Scientist
Mortuary
HM Coroner
CPS
DI
O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
6
Legal Provisions - PM

• Authority - s20 Coroners Act 1988
• Location - s22 Coroners Act 1988
• HTA - s39 Human Tissue Act 2004

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
7
Legal Provisions - Coroner

• PM Authority - s20 Coroners Act 1988
• Seizure Authority
• Retention Requirement
• Rule 12 Coroners Rules 1984
• Retention Period
• Rule 12 Coroners Rules 1984
• Coroner Functus

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
8
Legal Provisions - Police

• PM Authority - None?
• Seizure Authority - s19 PACE
• Retention Authority - s22 PACE
• Retention Period - s23 CPIA

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
9
Legal Provisions - HTA

• Consent
• Coroners - s11 Exemption
• Police - Not Scheduled Purpose
• Licensing
• Coroners - Yes
• Police - s39 Exemption PM Covered
• Guidance
• Coroners -Yes
• Police - s39 Exemption - PM Covered

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
10
Pathways

• Criminal Offence
• Inquest adjourned and not re-opened
• Police samples maintain status
• Coroners samples may change status
• Criminal Offence Article 2
• Inquest adjourned and re-opened
• Police samples may change status
• No Criminal Offence
• Police samples may change status

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
11
Standards Guidance

• Forensic Pathology
• Code of Practice
• Specific Guidance
• Legal Issues
• Guidance on Tissue Retention
• Mortuary Standards

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
12
Mortuary Standards

• Facilities
• Design Construction
• Services
• Operation
• Support

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
13
DI Mortuary Obligations

• Legal Obligations
• Facilities
• Oversight of PM Process
• Tissue
• Control
• Records
• The Deceased
• Release of the Body

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
14
Guidance
O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y
15
Contact

• jeff.adams_at_homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
• andrew.rennison4_at_homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
• http//police.homeoffice.gov.uk/operational-polici
  ng/forensic-science-regulator/

O v e r s e e i n g Q u a l i t y