The pilot has been developed by the University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and will build on experience of similar work previously carried out by NHS Lothian.

One of the roles of prosecutors is to consider each death reported thoroughly and independently. This work seeks to establish what happened, to provide families with answers, and to identify any changes that may prevent deaths in similar circumstances in the future.

Part of this work means COPFS is responsible for instructing professionals such as pathologists to undertake work to determine the cause of a death, and if essential, to consider what type of examination is required and is most appropriate.

The use of imaging as a forensic tool is being piloted in Glasgow to gather information and consider how technology has the potential to form part of the process to resolve the investigation of a death.

The pilot will be delivered collaboratively with pathology and radiology teams at the University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board.

Partners will identify where the use of CT scanning has the potential to contribute towards establishing a cause of death. To enable comparison with established methods, the CT scan will be carried out in addition to the instructed post-mortem examination. The pilot will initially cover 15 cases, with evaluation to follow.

Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for the Crown Office, said: “We recognise it can be distressing to know that a post-mortem is required, and the Procurator Fiscal only ever instructs one where it is necessary to establish the cause of death. 

“We are committed to putting families experiencing the trauma of unexplained deaths at the centre of our work. COPFS and the pathologists who carry out examinations on our behalf are seeking to identifying any changes that would minimise the distress to families. 

“The review paper, when it is available, will form part of our ongoing work on improvements to the process of resolving death investigations.”