EWJ FEB 59 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 61
Private Post-Mortems
by Grace Payne-James, Director - Forensic Healthcare Services Ltd
The Service
Following an increased number of enquiries over the
last few years from families across the UK, the Forensic Healthcare Services Ltd team (FHC) made the decision to offer, in addition to our expert witness
services, private post-mortems (also known as autopsy)
for next of kin, without the need to instruct legal representation (e.g. a solicitor or Direct Access Barrister).
The limit to our private instructions comes if the family believes there is an element of negligence or that it
is perhaps a criminal matter. At this point we advise
the family that they must have legal representation, as
the experts’ evidence would be tendered to the
Court.
The Process
Upon receiving the initial enquiry and discussing the
matter with the family, we contact our pathologists to
enquire whether this is something they suggest the
family proceed with. If it is, we then open their case on
our bespoke management system, and supply them
with a quote, timescales and CV for the expert. Much
like we would for any other expert witness matter.
We are mindful that many families feel a post-mortem
will provide them with peace of mind, closure, clarity,
and confirmation about the cause of death, which
could help them to come to terms with their bereavement, grief and loss.
In many cases, pathologists, Medical Examiners, and
others working with FHC are able to reassure families and allay their concerns without a post-mortem
going ahead. However, should the request or need for
a post-mortem remain, FHC will obtain appropriate
consent from the next of kin to proceed.
The pathologist will also make recommendations
whether additional tests such as toxicology analysis
would be required to address the family’s queries.
There are only a handful of mortuaries and hospitals
across the UK set up to take on or are actually available to facilitate private post-mortems / autopsies, so
we work closely with these teams to ensure a good
working relationship.
This complex and sensitive work sometimes brings up
unexpected and unforeseen challenges. Fortunately,
FHC has access to many different professionals that
are involved in the management and support of the
deceased and bereaved, from which FHC can obtain
appropriate advice. Coupled with the team’s training
such as the Management of the Dead diploma course,
we recognise the need to understand the process
as much as possible to best support families. We focus
on giving the family and/or next of kin the most
considered and helpful advice as we are able to.
While the post-mortem itself can generally be turned
around relatively quickly, the production of the report
is not a fast process. It involves various administrative
requirements which can each delay matters. Factors
like receipt of the medical records from the GP and
hospital can take time, and histology analysis while the
slides are being processed. The pathologist won’t be
able to finalise their report without having all of the
material, to give a full opinion.
Working directly with Home Office forensic
pathologists means we ensure that consent for the postmortem, retention and future use of tissue samples, and
disposal of retained organs and tissue is sought in full
compliance with the Human Tissue Act 2004.
We manage the family’s expectations as best we can
right from the beginning. We recognise it might be
that the pathologist’s findings, upon completion of the
post-mortem, may confirm the cause of death that has
already been given, and we often warn the family that
this may be the case. However, we hope, and often do
find, that hearing it from another independent party
does provide the family with the comfort and reassurance they need to help cope with their loss, and
feel as though they have done the best that they can
for their loved one.
What do we Offer?
We offer private first, second or even third invasive
post-mortems depending on the circumstances surrounding the case. We are also able to offer digital autopsies with the use of MRI / CT scanners, if the
circumstances of the case allow.
If a Coroner has been involved, the Coroner must
have released jurisdiction of the deceased, or have
finished their investigation. We recognise that any
investigation conducted by the Coroner takes
precedence over anything done privately.
The family must be at the heart of the bereavement
process and we are trying to do everything we can to
support them and make sure this is the case.
Should the family’s concerns raise additional questions
that cannot be addressed by post-mortem alone, it
may be that further specialities are required to opine,
and we have plenty of experts who can do so.
We have had previous cases that have utilised
toxicologists, histopathologists, radiologists and
neuropathologists to name but a few.
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
www.forensic-healthcare.com
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