Local families told body parts of loved ones were retained by police

Mr Craig, who is also a member of the Policing Board, said the revelations were “deeply concerning” and he understood several families in the Lagan Valley area had been affected.

“It is difficult to imagine any circumstance where it would be acceptable to retain the body parts of a deceased person without seeking prior permission from the family,” said Mr Craig.

“We all remember the scandal and the hurt that families suffered from the late 90s when hospitals throughout the United Kingdom had been found to be retaining organs without the consent of parents. This is no different and equally unacceptable.”

Mr Craig continued: “There will be families right across Northern Ireland, including several within the Lagan Valley area that have been affected by this issue. It is imperative that the police inform every family that body parts have been retained but more importantly, offer help and support to all families so they can come to terms with what clearly will be an upsetting and difficult period.

“The RUC/PSNI has been at the forefront of fighting a terrorist campaign that destroyed so many lives and held the line in what were very difficult circumstances. But for families that have been affected by this issue to have closure, it is important that the Chief Constable takes full control of the matter and that the PSNI conduct a full investigation and review their processes to ensure that this never happens again,” he concluded.

Sixty-four crime victims had tissue retained and around a third were Troubles-related deaths in Northern Ireland. Most were murdered, police have said.

Investigators kept human tissue and body parts as evidence from 1960 to 2005, with some held for substantial periods and without any need to secure the consent of families.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said that police had not broken the law but conceded: “There is a huge difference between being legal and doing the right thing in ethical and moral terms.

“Some of these families have been in a bad way because of lack of information. On behalf of the police service and the Chief Constable, we apologise for the upset that may have been caused.”

Mr Hamilton said the body parts would be handed back or dealt with as the families wish if no longer needed for investigations.

He added sometimes a murder weapon or other piece of evidence is found years later and the injured tissue can be re-examined by pathologists to establish a link.

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