Forensic Post Mortems (1456A/22)
Request
Within the WMP Force Area, when officer’s attend a suspicious death/Homicide etc what hospital is the deceased conveyed to for a Forensic Post Mortem by a Home Office Pathologist?
Does West Midlands Police have to pay the hospital and if so how much does this cost?
When instructing a Home Office Pathologist to undertake a Forensic Autopsy, what is the average cost a Home Office Pathologist will charge WMP?
When instructing a Home Office Pathologist does WMP use the same few Pathologists or do you use a group practice as a whole?
Response
We can confirm that some relevant information is held by West Midlands Police. However, while the majority of the information is attached to this email I am afraid that I am not required to release all of the information requested. Please see attached.
REASONS FOR DECISION
The withheld information is exempt by virtue of the following exemptions:
Section 31 (1) (a) – (Law enforcement)
These exemptions and explanatory notes are shown here:
In line with the above, I am required to complete a Prejudice Test/Public Interest Test (PIT) on disclosure. Please find this PIT attached [1456A_PIT_01].