The State Pathologist's Office is a branch of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

. The function of the State Pathologist's Office is to provide advice on matters relating to forensic pathology and to perform post-mortem examinations in homicide cases. This function includes providing post-mortem reports to the relevant coroner

Coroner

A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...

 in appropriate instances, as well as attendance at coroners' inquests and at any Court proceedings arising out of the Garda investigation into a death. The Office also provides advice to coroners on cases which are not the subject of a criminal investigation but which nevertheless give rise to complex questions of forensic pathology.

There are two full time State Pathologists: Professor Marie Cassidy

Marie Cassidy

Professor Marie Therese Jane Cassidy was appointed state pathologist in the Republic of Ireland in January, 2004. She succeeded Dr John Harbison....

 and Dr. Michael Curtis, who is the Deputy State Pathologist.