Rättsmedicinalverket

Rättsmedicinalverket, the National Board of Forensic Medicine, is a Swedish government agency that provides medico-legal expertise within the justice system. It operates under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and serves as the central authority for forensic medical services in civil and criminal cases. Its mandate includes conducting forensic examinations, offering expert opinions, and supporting police, prosecutors, and courts with scientifically grounded conclusions.

The agency conducts postmortem examinations and external investigations of deaths where the cause or circumstances require medico-legal clarification. In addition to autopsies, RMV performs forensic analyses in areas such as toxicology, DNA analysis, and other laboratory disciplines to establish factual findings relevant to investigations and trials. It also handles clinical and forensic assessments related to injuries, health states, and other medico-legal questions requested by authorities, with findings presented in reports and, when needed, testimony in court.

RMV is engaged in quality development, research, and knowledge dissemination to advance forensic medicine in Sweden. It collaborates with hospitals, universities, law enforcement, and judicial bodies, and contributes to the development of guidelines, standards, and methods used in forensic work. The agency also produces statistical information and participates in international cooperation to promote best practices in medico-legal science.

Overall, Rättsmedicinalverket plays a central role in ensuring scientifically grounded medico-legal conclusions that support investigations, prosecutions, and judicial decision-making, while aiming to maintain professional integrity, transparency, and public trust in forensic medicine.