Inspection of Human Tissue Seizure, Retention and Disposal Processes in Northern Ireland
Summary
In Northern Ireland when a person dies in unexplained or suspicious circumstances, a post-mortem examination is carried out by a pathologist to establish the cause of death. During the post-mortem examination, samples of human tissue are taken and retained.
In October 2012, the Minister of Justice for Northern Ireland, Mr David Ford MLA, commissioned HMIC to undertake an inspection of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to provide assurance that the force is correctly following the processes and procedures for the retention of human tissue in criminal cases.