Scotland’s police watchdog is to analyze the circumstances surrounding the demise of a gunshot sufferer which was not handled as homicide till a number of days after his physique was discovered.
Brian Low, 65, who had been walking his canine, was discovered lifeless on a distant observe on the outskirts of Aberfeldy, Perthshire, at round 8.30am on Saturday February 17.
His demise was initially handled as “medical or non-suspicious” nonetheless issues across the wound he had suffered had been raised on Wednesday February 21 throughout an preliminary medical examination and the police main investigation staff was referred to as in.
A autopsy examination on February 23 established that Mr Low had sustained a deadly gunshot and a homicide inquiry was launched.
The public and media weren’t knowledgeable {that a} homicide inquiry had been launched till February 27, 10 days after Mr Low’s physique was discovered by a member of the general public.
Detectives have admitted proof might have been misplaced within the delay in establishing against the law scene which didn’t occur till 4 days after Mr Low’s physique was found.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) has confirmed that it’s trying into the case.
A Pirc spokesperson stated: “On 1 March 2024, Pirc was directed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 65-year-old man discovered near Aberfeldy on 17 February 2024.
“Once the investigation is concluded, a report on our findings will be submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).”
Speaking at a police press convention on Thursday, Detective Chief Inspector Martin Macdougall stated that “criminality” was established on Friday February 23, however there have been “concerns around the injury” two days earlier.
He stated: “Obviously, once it had been established on Wednesday there were concerns about the death, the scene was established at that stage.
“But, yes, I appreciate that in that time frame between the Saturday and Wednesday some things could have been lost, but we have taken every opportunity since to recover every item from that area.”
Questions have been raised in regards to the police dealing with of the case, with politicians amongst these calling for solutions.
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart stated locals had contacted him with “concerns” about how the “shocking incident” had been dealt with.
He has written to Police Scotland calling for “urgent clarification on what is known to have happened thus far, and why the investigation was not launched sooner”.
And Perthshire North MSP John Swinney stated he has written to the Chief Constable to “seek answers on key questions in the handling of this case”.
In a publish on X, previously Twitter, he stated: “It is vital that public assurance can be given on these issues.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson stated: “We have received correspondence and it will be responded to in due course.”
In relation to the Pirc investigation, the spokesperson stated: “The circumstances have now been referred by Police Scotland to the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further.”
