Sudden unexpected death: medical investigation
Provides advice forto police and forensic practitioners on dealing with the initial stages of a sudden and unexplained death.death and suspected homicide.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
This guidance provides advice on dealing with the initial stages of a sudden and unexplained death, for those cases where a decision is made that medical assistance is required. It also covers the role and provision of forensic pathology assistance in police death investigations.
The 2025 police practice advice, which was amended in light of the recommendations of the Hillsborough Independent Review of Forensic Pathology following the Hillsborough Disaster, has now been signed off by Chief Constable Nick Dean (NPCC lead for forensics and forensic pathology), the NPCC Homicide Working Group (CC Meynell), the Chief Coroner, Coroners’ Society of England and Wales, the Home Office Pathology Delivery Board, College of Policing and the Home Secretary (who agreed all the recommendations in the report).
Updates to this page
Published 25 October 2017
Last updated 725 MarchJune 2024
+ show2025
href="#full-history">+ show all updates
-
Update history
2025-06-25 10:10
Amended The Medical Investigation of Suspected Homicide guidance in light of the independent review of Forensic Pathology following the Hillsborough Disaster (2024).
2024-03-07 13:30
Published updated versions of dealing with sudden unexpected death and the medical investigation of suspected homicide practice advice guides.
Details
This guidance provides advice on dealing with the initial stages of a sudden and unexplained death, for those cases where a decision is made that medical assistance is required. It also covers the role and provision of forensic pathology assistance in police death investigations.
The 2025 police practice advice, which was amended in light of the recommendations of the Hillsborough Independent Review of Forensic Pathology following the Hillsborough Disaster, has now been signed off by Chief Constable Nick Dean (NPCC lead for forensics and forensic pathology), the NPCC Homicide Working Group (CC Meynell), the Chief Coroner, Coroners’ Society of England and Wales, the Home Office Pathology Delivery Board, College of Policing and the Home Secretary (who agreed all the recommendations in the report).
Updates to this page
Published 25 October 2017
Last updated 725 MarchJune 2024
+ show2025
href="#full-history">+ show all updates
-
Update history
2025-06-25 10:10
Amended The Medical Investigation of Suspected Homicide guidance in light of the independent review of Forensic Pathology following the Hillsborough Disaster (2024).
2024-03-07 13:30
Published updated versions of dealing with sudden unexpected death and the medical investigation of suspected homicide practice advice guides.
Details
This guidance provides advice on dealing with the initial stages of a sudden and unexplained death, for those cases where a decision is made that medical assistance is required. It also covers the role and provision of forensic pathology assistance in police death investigations.
The 2025 police practice advice, which was amended in light of the recommendations of the Hillsborough Independent Review of Forensic Pathology following the Hillsborough Disaster, has now been signed off by Chief Constable Nick Dean (NPCC lead for forensics and forensic pathology), the NPCC Homicide Working Group (CC Meynell), the Chief Coroner, Coroners’ Society of England and Wales, the Home Office Pathology Delivery Board, College of Policing and the Home Secretary (who agreed all the recommendations in the report).
Updates to this page
Update history
2025-06-25 10:10
Amended The Medical Investigation of Suspected Homicide guidance in light of the independent review of Forensic Pathology following the Hillsborough Disaster (2024).
2024-03-07 13:30
Published updated versions of dealing with sudden unexpected death and the medical investigation of suspected homicide practice advice guides.