The Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit (SFIU) is a specialist unit of Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

SFIU has responsibility for receiving reports of deaths occurring in Scotland which are sudden, suspicious, accidental or unexplained and fall within the under noted categories and deaths which give rise to public anxiety. On a death being brought to his or her attention, it is the duty of the Procurator Fiscal to make an initial enquiry and decide whether, and to what extent, further investigation is required and to instigate that investigation.

For more information on reporting deaths to the Procurator Fiscal and information for relatives who are bereaved on the role of the Procurator Fiscal, visit the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service website.

Sudden and unexplained deaths

This animated video explores the processes and agencies who may be involved following a sudden or unexplained death.

For more information on sudden or unexplained deaths click here

Please note that all the videos on this website deal with issues of death and bereavement and were created for healthcare professionals: caution is advised for viewers who are not healthcare professionals as some may find the themes upsetting.

A transcript of this video can be found here