The Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) dealt with 417 cases last year – up from 327 in 2021.

The office performs post-mortem examination (PMEs) in criminal, suspicious or unusual deaths, known as State cases.

According its annual report for 2022, just over half of the cases It dealt with last year were State cases, with 26 of these cases involving a visit to the scene of death.

The office also carried out 172 non-suspicious PMEs at the direction of the Dublin District Coroner, while four cases were referred to it for expert opinion.

Skeletonised remains

There were 28 cases of skeletonised remains – a 35% drop compared with 2021. The office found that 16 these were animal bones and 11 were human bones. One was found to be wood.

In eight of the 11 human cases, the remains were identified as ancient. One case was identified as modern, one is awaiting carbon dating and the third is awaiting DNA analysis.

The report shows that out-of-office commitments, such as attendance at inquests and the Criminal Courts of Justice to provide expert advice on causes of death, amounted to approximately 15 working days for the pathologists during 2022.

Academic opportunities

During the year, two new deputy State pathologists were appointed, following the appointment of two new State pathologists in 2021.

After the appointment of Chief State Pathologist Professor Linda Mulligan as a clinical professor at the UCD School of Medicine in July last year, there is now a formal arrangement in place for an annual elective UCD medical-student attachment.

Prof Mulligan added that this affiliation paved the way for more potential academic opportunities in forensic pathology.