Professor Linda Mulligan

The Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) said in its 2024 annual report that last year saw the highest number of State cases (i.e. criminal, suspicious or unusual deaths) in 10 years.

The OSP dealt with 394 cases in 2024, including 214 State cases, making up 54 per cent of the total.

There were visits to the scene of death in just three per cent of State cases, which is now rare “due to advanced technologies used by crime scene investigators”.

Chief State pathologist Professor Linda Mulligan said: “Something that will have a major impact on the OSP and national autopsy practice in general will be the reform of the coronial service which forms part of the new [programme for government].

“The establishment of a resourced, sustainable coronial autopsy service as part of this reform would serve to improve and strengthen the national forensic pathology service.

“The OSP will continue to drive change and growth through ongoing engagement with the Department of Justice, coroners, Department of Health, HSE and Faculty of Pathology RCPI and to provide advice and expertise as needed.”