Forensic toxicological examinations in medico-legal cause-of-death investigations are carried out centrally for the whole of Finland at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare's (THL) Forensic Toxicology Unit in Helsinki. In 2024, a forensic autopsy was performed in approximately 13% of all deaths in Finland, and in the majority of these cases a toxicological examination was also conducted.
The primary purpose of post-mortem toxicological analyses is to support the cause-of-death investigation. In addition, the results of these investigations provide an important source of information for research, monitoring the drug situation, and work aimed at preventing poisoning-related deaths.
Goals
Based on the results of post-mortem toxicological investigations, several statistics are compiled annually to describe national trends in poisoning-related deaths and drug findings. These statistics are used both in statutory reporting and in scientific research.
Implementation
Forensic toxicological examinations related to cause-of-death investigations are carried out on approximately 6,500 deceased individuals annually. In a single case, an average of 12 different analyses are performed using a comprehensive set of quality-assured analytical methods. The results of these analyses form the dataset from which statistics on poisoning-related deaths and drug findings are compiled.
Funding
The activity is funded through the state budget.
Partners
- European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA)
- Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea)
- Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM)
- United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Contact details
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