Supply of Neuropathology Services

Description

The Lord Advocate, through the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has responsibility in Scotland for the prosecution of crime and the investigation of sudden or suspicious deaths which require further investigation. As part of the process of investigating deaths, the Procurator Fiscal may, in order to establish the cause and mechanism of death, instruct specialist diagnostic neuropathology services. This is currently provided through a single national point of contact which is due to expire in September 2022. There are a limited number of pathologists who have this specialism and the purpose of this notice is to test the market in order to assess fully what the issues are. In order to assist the forensic pathologists to ascertain the cause and manner of death, specialist forensic neuropathological investigations may be required/necessary. In effect the forensic neuropathologist is the technical expert in neuropathology providing information/reports for the pathologists to enable them to complete their post mortem reports for COPFS. The forensic neuropathologist will require to perform gross and microscopic examination of brains and spinal cords and other relevant areas. COPFS would prefer that this is in situ with the forensic neuropathologist potentially travelling to the location of the post mortem on the deceased. In addition, the forensic neuropathologist may require to discuss the findings with the forensic pathologist and the staff from COPFS and may if require by COPFS assist with providing information to the bereaved families. The forensic neuropathologist may require to provide reports and also attend courts and inquiries as an expert witness.