Two firsts for LGC Forensics: The Forensic Pathology Alliance and the Victim Identification and Mass Fatalities unit
December 11, 2006
LGC now offers pathology as a seamless speciality with forensic science and, also for the first time, a comprehensive, controlled approach to victim identification and mass fatality in collaboration with professional organisations including the AFR.
LGC Forensics, the UK's largest independent provider of forensic services, has announced two exciting new developments as a result of a special collaboration with Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) - the largest group of Home Office registered pathologists in the UK. Together they provide a capability that extends and enriches the technical support available for the full range of suspicious death investigations, from individual deaths through to mass fatality. Tim Wilson, former head of the Home Office Forensic Science and Pathology Unit, was official guest of honour at the launch held at the Association of Anaesthetists, London on 8 December 2006.
At the launch, Dr Angela Gallop, Director, LGC Forensics, said: "LGC Forensics prides itself on its ability to unite forensic specialists in response to the needs of investigators. We believe we have gone one step further with the launch of Forensic Pathology Alliance and through the introduction of the Victim Identification and Mass Fatalities unit. For the first time in the UK, investigators are able to deploy a powerful, combined team of experienced and appropriate specialists in forensic science and forensic medicine - and through a single point of contact."
There are overlaps and synergies between forensic pathology and almost every area of modern forensic science. The Forensic Pathology Alliance (FPA) was established to exploit these for the benefit of investigators and the courts, and for society in general. In particular, the FPA efficiently unites forensic pathology with the full spectrum of forensic science disciplines at LGC Forensics to facilitate a more holistic approach to investigations. From this broad pool of forensic expertise, investigators can draw seamlessly on closely related areas such as toxicology, histopathology and ecology in conjunction with pathology, as well as other less obviously associated areas.
The Victim Identification and Mass Fatality (VIMF) unit pulls together a highly qualified team at LGC Forensics of archaeologists, anthropologists, histologists, DNA analysts, radiographers (through the Association of Forensic Radiographers), plus former police officers with extensive experience in the investigation of incidents including mass fatalities. This talented and optimised team of experts can be deployed from a single point of contact in the event of any disaster that may require the identification of victims. This extends to situations involving extensively fragmented or decomposed remains following, for example, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, homicide cases - all pertaining to suspicious deaths, and major travel accidents.
In support of the FPA, LGC Forensics has opened three new state-of-the-art toxicology laboratories, the first fully resourced histopathology laboratory licensed under the Human Tissue Act, a national archive for pathology specimens, and it provides a dedicated courier service for transporting samples which complies with all the requirements of the Criminal Justice system.
The VIMF unit at LGC Forensics is also positioned to provide bespoke training courses in the recovery of human remains, and in the development of scientific techniques to improve victim identification. Investigators requiring further details about the Victim Identification and Mass Fatality (VIMF) unit should email: vimf@lgcforensics.com.
Further details of the launch can be found at http://www.lgc.co.uk/news_story.asp?intElement=6367
Read more about Forensic Pathology Alliance in "Policing Today"
