Inform victim families of post-mortem rights and viewing opportunities with caution

I would also reiterate the recommendations which the inquest jury, although not strictly empowered to do so, made in a letter delivered to Dr Burton with their verdict on 7thApril 1995: 1. Families of victims must always be informed of their rights to attend or elect medical representatives to attend post mortems. With appropriate counselling, they should be offered the opportunity to view their relative’s body. The issue of visual identification must, however, be treated with caution. 2. Removal of hands for the identification of bodies should be done only when all other methods have been exhausted (especially the matching of dental records) and not as a matter of expediency. In such circumstances, mortuary technicians and pathologists must remember that a procedure which may seem standard to them, is likely to be deeply distressing and offensive to relatives. 3. We would like to remind all agencies of the importance of keeping detailed and accurate records. Particular attention should be given to the correct documentation of proceedings in the mortuary.