Forensic Science SA

In reply to the Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO ().12 September 2024).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): I am advised:

Forensic Science SA currently has 135 full-time equivalent staff, 94 of whom perform operational roles.

No employees of Forensic Science SA can approve the release of a deceased's body. This is a determination of the State Coroner. Employees of Forensic Science SA can be involved in this process by working with nominated funeral directors to arrange times in business hours for collection, or to advise SAPOL when postmortem examinations are completed, so that the State Coroner can issue an authority to release.

In the month of July 2024, the mean wait time for coronial approval to release a body was five business days. However, the mean is affected by cases which required a higher level of postmortem examination by Forensic Science SA. The mode for the month of July was one business day, meaning it was more common for families to wait one business day, compared with five business days for coronial approval to release a body.

In the month of September 2024, the mean wait time for coronial approval to release a body was again five business days. The mode for the month of September was two business days, meaning it was more common for families to wait two business days, compared with five business days for coronial approval to release a body.