APA News

  • Edinburgh Scientific Services assist investigation of chemical suicide


    The Public Analyst in local authority service often also acts as a scientific advisor to assist at incidents which may involve chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive materials. 

    The fire service as first responders called upon the expertise of Edinburgh Scientific Services who provide a 24/7 Scientific Advisory Service to the Eastern Hub of the Scottish Fire Service.  Dynamic scientific advice helps keep fire service personnel safe whilst they go about their duties of protecting the public.  A useful tool to help identify chemicals involved in incidents is the fire service mobile laboratory which has a range of detection, investigation and monitoring equipment on board. 

    When the fire service had secured the scene Scotsman Hotel, materials were recovered by the police which were submitted to Edinburgh Scientific Services for a same day identification service. The Public Analyst was able to identify the chemicals involved which greatly assisted resolution of the incident which had international interest due to the nationality of those involved.

    Whilst funeral arrangements were being made Edinburgh Scientific Services involvement continued with scientists deployed to the City Mortuary on a regular basis to ensure that mortuary staff were not put at risk by release of any chemicals during storage of the bodies.