Death investigations

Court process begins for the FAI into the death of Stirling man

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a First Notice to begin the court process for a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of 59-year-old Graham Anderson. 

Mr Anderson died following a heart attack in his office at Calachem Ltd, Grangemouth on 1 May 2020. 

A preliminary hearing is set for 28 July 2023 at Stirling Sheriff Court.     

Preliminary Hearings and Dates of Inquiry (scotcourts.gov.uk)     

The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and to establish what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances. 

It is anticipated the focus of the FAI will be on the circumstances surrounding the actions and response of Calachem Ltd in obtaining emergency assistance and the response of the Scottish Ambulance Service to the emergency. 

The inquiry will also consider whether there were any defects in any system of working which contributed to the death. 

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame. 

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: 

“The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Graham Anderson occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern and as such a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry should be held.    

“An FAI will allow a full public airing of the evidence of the procurator fiscal’s wider investigations with interested parties. The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of an independent judicial determination.”