Joint Fatal Accident Inquiry launched into Covid deaths of two HMP Perth inmates
by Chris Marzella, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/chris-marzella/ · Daily RecordGet the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp
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A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) is to be held over the deaths of two prison inmates who died from Covid-19 whilst in legal custody.
The Procurator Fiscal has lodged a First Notice with the Sheriff Court to commence the court process for the joint FAI into the deaths of Alexander Drysdale and George Greenshields.
Both Alexander Drysdale, 65, and George Greenshields, 68, died in hospital after contracting the virus at HMP Perth.
A preliminary hearing will be held on March 6 at Dundee Sheriff Court.
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The purpose of an FAI includes determining the cause of death, the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and to establish what reasonable precautions could have been taken to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.
Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than apportion blame.
The deaths were investigated by the Covid Deaths Investigation Team within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatality investigations for COPFS, said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the deaths of Alexander Drysdale and George Greenshields occurred in similar circumstances, both deaths being attributable to the Covid-19 virus contracted whilst in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.
“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.”
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