Forensic Medicine
Head of Unit Riikka Laitinen
The unit
- Is responsible for forensic autopsy activities.
- Guides and supervises cause-of-death investigations in Finland.
- Maintains 24/7 on-call clinical forensic services.
- Performs histological laboratory analyses of tissue samples taken from deceased persons.
- Performs forensic odontology age assessments and forensic identification of the deceased.
- Provides training for forensic pathologists, autopsy technicians and forensic nurses.
- Provides expert statements and participates in authority cooperation.
The quality management system of the Forensic Medicine unit is certified. A certificate issued by Kiwa Sertifiointi Oy verifies that the quality management system meets the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard.
The unit is divided into several teams.
Forensic Medicine, Shared: Administration and Support
Team Manager Riikka Laitinen
- Is responsible for the finances, contracts and procurement of statutory forensic medicine activities, maintains the authority network, and handles requests for information and citizen contacts related to the activities.
- Maintains operational structures such as information systems and publishing platforms.
- Supports the development of forensic medicine activities and research work.
- Engages in international cooperation and ensures comparable quality and continuity of forensic medicine activities nationwide.
- Maintains preparedness and contingency activities.
Forensic Medicine Teams (Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Kuopio, Oulu)
Team Managers Antti Virtanen (Helsinki), Mika Martiskainen (Tampere), Pia Wahlsten (Turku), Sanna Ahola (Kuopio), Satu Alajärvi (Oulu)
- Carry out all forensic autopsies nationwide as official assistance to the police in five regional locations.
- Guide and supervise cause-of-death investigations nationwide.
- Conduct forensic odontology age assessments nationwide as official assistance to the Finnish Immigration Service as part of the family reunification process.
- Support wellbeing services counties in medical examinations and statements related to violent crimes.
- Participate in the training of social and healthcare professionals, especially professionals in forensic medicine.
- Provide expert statements and participate in regional authority cooperation.
Histology
Team Manager Johanna Virri
- The histology laboratory performs histological laboratory analyses (processing and staining) of tissue samples taken during forensic autopsies.
- Certified laboratories are located in Turku and Helsinki.
- Supports forensic medicine research activities.
Forensic Medicine On-Call Services
Team Manager Sirpa Hannula
Performs the following clinical forensic examinations as official assistance for authorities operating in the Uusimaa region:
- Substance abuse analyses
- Examinations of suspected sexual offences
- Examinations of violent crimes
- Examinations of suspects of drug smuggling
- External examinations of deceased persons
The on-call service operates 24/7 as a fee-based service. In addition, the forensic medicine on-call service:
- Supports wellbeing services counties nationwide in the investigation of sexual and violent crimes.
- Provides consultation services
- Provides advice and guidance
- Participates in further training of healthcare professionals
- Engages in research and development activities
- Provides expert statements and participates in authority cooperation.
- Maintains readiness for contingency operations and major incident investigations.