§ 35. Mr. McQuarrieasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what measures are adopted to identify the body of a person who commits suicide; and what steps are taken to guarantee the authenticity of any handwritten note left by the deceased person.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThe procedure adopted by procurators fiscal in cases of sudden death varies according to the circumstances. Normally, however, the body of a person who has committed suicide will be identified to the police by next-of-kin or neighbours. The handwriting on a note left by a deceased person may be identified to the police by the next-of-kin or close relative; or, if there is suspicion about the circumstances of the death, verification may be sought from an independent person.
§ Mr. McQuarrieWill my hon. and learned Friend say what steps would be open to the relatives of a deceased person if there were circumstances giving rise to the suspicion that the person who had identified the body and the handwriting of the suicide was, perhaps, in some way involved with the death of the suicide?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandIf there were a situation in which it was suspected by a member of the public, and in particular by a close relative, that a person was involved in criminal activity and that a suicide was in fact a homicide, that person would have a duty to report those facts to the police or the procurator-fiscal when they would be fully and impartially investigated.
§ Mr. MaclennanDoes the Solicitor-General realise that there will be no problem if identification of the corpse of this Government after the next election?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandAs I understand it, it is not possible to carry out a post mortem on a vital, living and active body. Any person who did so would be guilty of a criminal offence. What we suffer from is the necromancy of the last Government.