Public Interest and Private Grief: A Study of Fatal Accident Inquiries in Scotland

Susan McVie, S. Anderson, S. Warner

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

Abstract / Description of output

In Scotland, all sudden, suspicious and unexplained deaths are the subject of inquiry by the procurator fiscal who, in certain circumstances, may hold a public inquiry into the death. Such inquiries are held under the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976, and are known as 'fatal accident inquiries' (FAIs). The 1976 Act legislates for two types of inquiry: mandatory inquiries must be held for deaths occurring within employment or legal custody, while discretionary inquiries may be held where it appears to be expedient within the public interest to do so. This research was commissioned by Crown Office to inform a review of guidelines for procurators fiscal and was conducted by the Criminological Research Branch of The Scottish Office Central Research Unit.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherScottish Office Central Research Unit
ISBN (Print)0748029451
Publication statusPublished - 1995

Publication series

NameCrime and Criminal Justice Research Findings
No.6

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