The Office of the State Pathologist provides a national, year-round forensic pathology service in Ireland, offering independent expert advice on matters relating to forensic pathology and performing post mortem examinations in criminal, suspicious or unusual deaths. State pathologists are often required to attend and give evidence in coronial, criminal or civil courts or sometimes to attend crime scenes. The report notes the wide range of valuable work conducted by the Office throughout 2023, including 400 cases of which 48%, or 192, were State forensic cases.

The forensic pathologists are supported in their work by five administrative staff and a senior laboratory analyst (medical scientist). Core Work of OSP The main activity of the Office is to undertake PMEs in cases of sudden, unexplained death where a criminal or suspicious element is present. In approximately 4% of cases in 2023, this also involved a scene visit. The pathologists deal with homicides, as well as a wide range of natural and unnatural deaths, for example road traffic collisions, accidents and drug-related deaths.