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Private Post-Mortems
- Mar 13, 2025
- Latest Journal
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).
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.
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.
Working directly with Home Office forensic pathologists means we ensure that consent for the post-mortem, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
