The purpose of an FAI includes determining the cause of death, the circumstances in which the death occurred, and to establish what reasonable precautions could have been taken to avoid deaths in similar circumstances.
FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than apportion blame.
The Sheriff considers all the evidence presented in court and thereafter delivers their determination.
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said:
“Following a detailed investigation, the Procurator Fiscal decided that it was in the public interest to hold a discretionary joint Fatal Accident Inquiry to look at the full circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths of Leo Lamont, Ellie McCormick, and Mira-belle Bosch and hopefully help avoid such deaths happening again.
“The families will continue to be updated as the Inquiry progresses.”
For more information on Fatal Accident Inquiries see the Crown’s guide