A call for evidence by the 2025 Fatal Accident Inquiry Review aims to gather views on the efficiency, effectiveness and trauma-informed nature of investigations into deaths in custody and the specific barriers that families face in engaging with the process.

The review is “wholly independent” of the Scottish government. Review chair Sheriff Principal Abercrombie would like to hear from those with experience of the FAI system.

He is particularly interested in hearing from individuals with

• direct experience, either personal or professional, of the system
• an interest in the system itself or the experiences of those who interact with it, for example academic or research professionals
• experience of other systems that might offer examples of alternative methods or approaches

He is also particularly interested in hearing from organisations with insight into the experience of interacting with the FAI system, or other systems of investigating deaths in custody.

The secretariat to the review will collate all responses. They will be shared with the chair and, if he considers that it would be helpful to the work of the review, also with the advisory group.