Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service officials attended a meeting at the Coroner’s Office in Lancashire last week along with Scottish pathology specialists.
Ann and Gerry Starks with a picture of their son Richard(Image: Reach Plc)
Scottish prosecutors have travelled to England to study post-mortem body scanning machines which may reduce the need for invasive procedures in death investigations.
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service officials attended a meeting at the Coroner’s Office in Lancashire last week along with Scottish pathology specialists.
The meeting was attended by Ann Stark, who has been calling for overhaul of the post-mortem system in Scotland after saying her son Richard was “butchered” and tissue samples removed without her consent.
Ann and husband Gerry want CT scanners and keyhole surgery used as often as possible instead of invasive removal of organs and tissue.
Richard Stark. Picture by Victoria Stewart (Reach Plc Staff)
Ann, from Bothwell, Lanarkshire, said: “Richard went through the most horrific post-mortem.
“We are shocked at the lack of respect for the deceased and the lack of compassion for the families. We couldn’t have other families going through this. I discovered that in several parts of England they use scanners which are 96 per cent accurate and cost effective.
“I advised the committee and had a meeting with the Lord Advocate, who arranged the meeting in Lancashire.”
Richard, 25, an accountant, suffered a seizure and died at home in 2019. Ann told police officers she didn’t want a full invasive examination. Three weeks later she learned that a full autopsy had taken place with tissue samples taken.
She petitioned the Scottish Parliament in a bid for the rules to be changed so post-mortems can only be carried out with permission of the next of kin.
Holyrood’s public petitions committee is considering the call for a review of legislation.
Monica Lennon MSP(Image: PA)
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Scotland has been lagging behind for too long.”
COPFS said: “We have been approached by pathology service providers about the possibility of commencing a post-mortem CT scanning pilot project and discussions are ongoing in relation to that.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We again wish to offer our sincere apologies.”
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