Forensic Medicine

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Our primary mission is to conduct forensic autopsies and issue legal certificates on behalf of the Swedish Police, prosecutors, and courts among others. In addition to autopsies and legal certificates, we also perform medical age assessments on behalf of the Swedish Migration Agency and courts.

Forensic autopsies

We perform approximately 6,000 forensic autopsies annually, with the aim to determine if a crime has occurred and to establish a cause of death. The physician who confirms the death of an individual decides if a forensic autopsy is warranted, and if so, files a police report. In turn, the police request a forensic autopsy from the Swedish Board of Forensic Medicine. Notably, only unnatural deaths such as murder, suicide and accidents and unexpected deaths become subject to a forensic autopsy.

We also assist the police with the identification of unknown deceased individuals, both in on-going investigations and in circumstances of natural or man-made disasters (DVI, disaster victim identification).

Legal certificates

In cases of violence, injuries may occur to both the victim and the suspected perpetrator. As a part of a preliminary investigation or as evidence in a court proceeding, the police or prosecutor can request a legal certificate. Our forensic physicians record injuries sustained to provide an expert opinion on the nature and timing of the injuries. We issue approximately 4,000 legal certificates each year.

All tasks conducted maintain high quality and standards. Forensic autopsies are accredited by Swedac, the Swedish national accreditation body.

Identification of Deceased Individuals

Our operations also assist with the identification of deceased individuals and at crime scene investigations conducted in conjunction with police forensic technicians. We also perform medical age assessments on behalf of the Swedish Migration Agency and courts.

The forensic operations maintain high quality and the forensic autopsies are accredited by Swedac, the national accreditation body for Sweden.