The Office of the State Pathologist provides a national, year-round forensic pathology service here in Ireland, offering independent expert advice on matters relating to forensic pathology and performing post mortem examinations in criminal, suspicious or unusual deaths.
State pathologists are often required to attend and give evidence in coronial, criminal or civil courts or sometimes to attend crime scenes.
The report notes the wide range of valuable work conducted by the Office throughout 2023, including 400 cases of which 48%, or 192, were State forensic cases.
Speaking on the team’s work in 2023, Professor Linda Mulligan said: “The Office of the State Pathologist collaborates with a huge number of stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of practice. In 2023, we reviewed our paper-based processes in line with the Department of Justice environmental policy and introduced paperless reporting to coroners. We also had important input into the development of the Human Tissue Act 2024, and we continue to work with the HSE, Faculty of Pathology, and the Department of Justice to support the reform of the coronial autopsy service.”
The team provides expert input to many boards and advisory groups, including the Autopsy Quality Improvement Committee, the HSE mortuary improvement programme, and the Faculty of Pathology RCPI.
2023 marked Professor Linda Mulligan’s third year as Chief State Pathologist.
The Office enjoyed a full team for most of the year, with a Chief State Pathologist, two State Pathologists, two Deputy State Pathologists (one of whom departed in November 2023), and a locum State pathologist based in Cork.
Reflecting on 2023, Professor Linda Mulligan said: “The support and governance offered by the Department of Justice have allowed us to continue to expand and strengthen the work that we do. We will keep striving towards the highest standards of practice in forensic pathology, with the ultimate aim of providing the best possible service to bereaved families and loved ones across Ireland, as well as the Coroners, An Garda Síochána and the Courts.”
As already stated: During 2023, 400 cases were dealt with by the Office of the state Pathologist (this figure was 417 in 2022, 327 in 2021, 345 in 2020, 335 in 2019 and 286 in 2018). Of these 192, or 48%, were state forensic cases.
Attendance at the scene of death was recorded in approximately 4% of cases. (This figure was 26 of 213 cases (12%) in 2022.)
The Office, at the direction of the Dublin District Coroner, carried out 161 adult non-suspicious post mortem examinations.
There were 36 cases of endoskeleton remains, 17 of which were documented as animal bones, 19 as human bones.
Note: The full 2023 Annual Report of the Office of the State Pathologist can be read HERE.
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