Police in N. Ireland kept human tissue back

posted 5 days ago at 11:37

Northen Ireland Police

Police in Northern Ireland kept body parts and tissue samples from crime victims without telling the families involved, officials said Tuesday.



The practice was followed in at least 67 cases between 1960 and 2005, the Belfast Telegraph reported. About 40 of the cases involved people killed by sectarian violence during the Troubles.

A national audit ordered by the Human Tissue Authority is under way in Britain. Hampshire Police and City of London Police were reported last week to have undertaken a similar audit.

Some of the material involved reportedly includes bones and skulls.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland, successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary, said officers were getting in touch with the families.

"Specially trained Family Liaison Officers are now visiting those families affected to inform them and to discuss with them what their options now are," a PSNI statement said. "We know that this will be an incredibly difficult time for those families involved and we will provide all the possible support we can to them."



Source : UPI.com