Forensic Pathology

The principal activity of the Forensic Pathology part of the Section is a service one, in carrying out post mortem examinations for the Procurator Fiscals of Glasgow and the surrounding regions. The University has in 2006 renewed its contract with the Crown Office (the central legal authority in Scotland) to provide such a service for a 7-year period, the pathologists within the Section carrying out up to 2,500 examinations each year. These will cover the full range of sudden and unexpected deaths and will include approximately 70 homicides. The vast majority of cases are carried out at the City Mortuary in Glasgow.

There is a 24 hour on-call service for suspicious deaths which can include attendance at scenes, and the Section would provide the lead in the event of any major disaster.

While being part of the contract the pathologists nevertheless maintain their professional independence and carry out work for “the defence” and for other outside agencies both at home and abroad. Some have had experience of international work for the United Nations and other organisations.

The Section has a staff of five pathologists at consultant level and one trainee. In addition to the service work they are involved in the teaching of forensic medicine to both undergraduates and postgraduates, the former primarily to law and medical students and the latter principally as instruction of overseas graduates attached for postgraduate training.

The Section is a recognized training centre approved by the Royal College of Pathologists.

Research interests include:

•  drug and alcohol abuse
•  epilepsy and war crimes

These often involve collaboration with other units within the University and externally.

The forensic pathologists are supported in their work by a manager for the Crown Office contract plus four secretaries and two histology technicians, all routine histology (material for microscopic examination) being carried out in-house. All toxicology analyses are similarly carried out within the Section.