If a mental health patient kills somebody various investigations by the health service will usually follow.

These health service investigations are separate from any police investigation.

They are designed to help the NHS learn from the experience so that such killings become less likely in the future.

But often they don’t work as well as they should.

This section looks at:

•  Who does what? – Mental Health Trusts and other Health bodies
• Different types of investigations
• What’s a homicide inquiry? – What do they do? Are they any good?
• When should they start?
• How can families be involved?
• The problem of Patient Confidentiality
• Problems around Anonymity
• Learning Lessons
• Are health services accountable?
• Where can I find previous inquiry reports for my area?