The Government has no plans to make such an assessment. As independent judicial office holders it is for coroners to determine which tests are made as part of their investigation. Coroners have the necessary powers to order post mortem examinations, including the testing by a pathologist for substances such as Gamma-hydroxybutyrate.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4358", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wendy Morton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aldridge-Brownhills"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Wendy Morton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-10-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-10-03T14:46:04.077Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-09-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post-mortems"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of testing for the use of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate in postmortems when the cause of death is unclear.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4491", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewisham, Deptford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vicky Foxcroft"} ], "uin" : "291433"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1108821", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1108821/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government assesses data from the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) on reported incidents at quarterly accountability meetings.<\/p>
When these incidents occur they are upsetting for the families of those involved; although they are rare, when they do happen we are assured that the HTA work with establishments to ensure that a thorough investigation takes place, and that improvements are made to reduce the risk of similar incidents happening again.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4019", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-04-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-04-10T14:43:09.967Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-04-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post-mortems"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports from the Human Tissue Authority (1) that a memory stick containing images of post-mortems was left on public transport, (2) of multiple organs being lost or misattributed, (3) of organs being kept against the wishes of families, (4) of post mortems being carried out on the wrong bodies, and (5) the findings of the Chester Coroner that human tissue has been removed \"without consent\"; what action has been taken against those responsible for each such instance; and what steps they have taken to ensure no future such incidents occur.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/738", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Alton of Liverpool"} ], "uin" : "HL14928"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1037230", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1037230/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I understand that the Chief Coroner intends to issue guidance on second post-mortems later this year.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-14T13:26:29.37Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post-mortems"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Chief Coroner has plans to issue new guidance on second post-mortems.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} ], "uin" : "206042"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/943015", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/943015/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Chief Coroner, who is responsible for issuing guidance to coroners, intends to issue revised guidance on the practice of second post-mortems later this year. This will replace existing guidance (Home Office Circular 30/1999 http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20040722015642/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/hoc9930.html<\/a>).<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4362", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Edward Argar"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Charnwood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Edward Argar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-23T14:15:28.573Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post-mortems"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's guidance on the practice of second post-mortems in accounting for recent technological advances.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/301", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Burden"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Northfield"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Richard Burden"}
], "uin" : "164846"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/938596", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/938596/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Justice does not have operational responsibility for coroner services and therefore only holds information that it has decided to collect from coroners on the basis that it would be useful in policy making. We collect annual data on deaths reported to coroners, including inquests and post-mortem examinations held. The figures for the number of post mortems held in 2017 which involved less invasive techniques are available at:<\/p> www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/706047/coroners-statistics-2017-csvs.zip<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The Ministry of Justice does not currently collect from coroners information on the number of less invasive post-mortem examinations which have been requested, Jewish or Muslim deaths investigated by coroners, and release of bodies or out of hours services.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4137", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rory Stewart"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Penrith and The Border"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rory Stewart"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "163078"}
, {"_value" : "163080"}
, {"_value" : "163081"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-20T13:58:27.51Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post-mortems"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many non-invasive autopsies have been (a) requested and (b) provided in each coroner area in the last 12 months.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4005", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Bob Blackman"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrow East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Bob Blackman"}
], "uin" : "163079"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918572", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918572/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Where it is suspected that a death is as a result of homicide the coroner must consult with a chief of police on who should undertake the post-mortem. The Home Office maintains a register of suitably experienced and qualified forensic pathologists to conduct forensic post mortem examinations. The coroner will engage a pathologist from the register.<\/p> <\/p> Coroners have powers under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to ask a registered medical practitioner to undertake a post-mortem examination. The Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 provide that the report must be made to the coroner as soon as practicable after the examination. I will raise the question of timeliness with the Department of Health and Social Care and will write to my honourable Friend.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3921", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Phillip Lee"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bracknell"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Phillip Lee"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "150552"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T16:49:58.48Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post-mortems"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the Government's policy is on the employment by Her Majesty's coroners of independent forensic pathologists; and what guidelines apply to the timeline for completion of post-mortems when carried out by such pathologists.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/242", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Christchurch"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Christopher Chope"}
], "uin" : "150551"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918579", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/918579/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Where it is suspected that a death is as a result of homicide the coroner must consult with a chief of police on who should undertake the post-mortem. The Home Office maintains a register of suitably experienced and qualified forensic pathologists to conduct forensic post mortem examinations. The coroner will engage a pathologist from the register.<\/p> <\/p> Coroners have powers under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to ask a registered medical practitioner to undertake a post-mortem examination. The Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 provide that the report must be made to the coroner as soon as practicable after the examination. I will raise the question of timeliness with the Department of Health and Social Care and will write to my honourable Friend.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3921", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Phillip Lee"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bracknell"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Phillip Lee"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "150551"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T16:49:58.557Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post-mortems"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that when a coroner instructs a pathologist to carry out a post mortem examination to establish the cause of a person's death that examination is concluded within a reasonable time.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/242", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Christchurch"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Christopher Chope"}
], "uin" : "150552"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/872556", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/872556/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Justice is not proposing to review second post-mortem examinations.<\/p> <\/p> Coroners are independent judicial office holders and the way they carry out their judicial functions is a matter for them.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4517", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lucy Frazer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South East Cambridgeshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lucy Frazer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-04-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-04-04T15:20:54.093Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-03-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Post-mortems"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will review the value and purpose of secondary post-mortems.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"}
], "uin" : "134370"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/872564", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/872564/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The MoJ has not made such an assessment. Coroners continue to rely on Home Office Circular 30/1999<\/p> <\/p>