FAI DETERMINATION SUMMARIES

Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAIs) are held following a death in the workplace or in cases which give rise to reasonable suspicion. They are usually held in the sheriff court, but may be held in other premises when appropriate. Summaries provide the main findings in order to assist understanding and may be published in cases where there is wider public interest. They do not form part of the reasons for the findings.

The full Determination published on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals website is the only authoritative document.

Katie Allan and William Brown

Jan 17, 2025

Sheriff Simon Collins KC has issued his determination following a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths by suicide of Katie Allan and William Brown, which occurred at HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution Polmont.

Jacqui Hunter

Oct 15, 2024

Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown made no recommendations following a Fatal Accident Inquiry in to the tragic death of Jacqui Hunter but noted her death had led to a change in prescription practice at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee in order to prevent such an error occurring in the future. The Sheriff has also determined that the failure by Lochee Medical Practice to refer Jacqui Hunter to Ninewells hospital on Monday 11 May 2020, did not materially contribute to the development of AFE (amniotic fluid embolism) and Ms Hunter’s death.

Warren Fenty

May 10, 2024

Following a Fatal Accident Inquiry in to the death of Warren Fenty, the Sheriff Principal for Grampian, Highland and Islands has identified certain institutional failures by Police Scotland resulting in missed opportunities to have Mr Fenty returned to hospital.

Simon Midgley and Richard John Dyson

Jan 11, 2023

Sheriff Thomas McCartney has made six recommendations following a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths of Simon Midgley and Richard John Dyson in a fire at Cameron House Hotel on 18 December 2017.

Sinking of the Louisa

Mar 2, 2022

A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) has determined that three men drowned after the fishing boat they worked on flooded and the liferaft failed to inflate.

Leylan Forte

Jan 21, 2022

Following the death of a 4-year-old boy from dehydration caused by norovirus, a Sheriff has recommended that GP practices provide medical summaries to NHS 24 more often in relation to vulnerable patients.

Mark Johnston

Aug 30, 2021

A Sheriff has ruled that the death of a man stabbed by another man being treated for paranoid schizophrenia could not have been prevented by the medical staff providing the treatment.

William Harrison

Jan 21, 2021

A Sheriff Principal has made recommendations to improve the treatment of patients within the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) area following the death of William Harrison from sepsis at the Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock (IRH).

Sumburgh Helicopter

Oct 19, 2020

The following is a summary of the Determination of Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle in respect of the Sumburgh Helicopter Fatal Accident Inquiry.

Sophie Anne Parkinson

Oct 2, 2020

The following is a summary of the Determination of Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC in the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the death of Sophie Anne Parkinson, aged 13, who died at her Dundee home by hanging herself on 1 March 2014.