Major restructuring of forensic services announced in Greece
The Ministry of Justice has unveiled a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s forensic services. Presenting the new organizational framework, Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis referred to recent high-profile cases involving infant deaths, stressing the need for a modern, reliable, and uniform forensic system.
Key Structural Changes
Unified Athens–Piraeus Morgue (from 1 July 2026)
The morgues of Athens and Piraeus will be merged into a single, unified facility serving the entire Attica region. The tender for the lease of a new site is expected to be issued by the end of July 2026.
Daily Forensic Service in Kavala (from 1 January 2026)
A fully operational forensic unit will open in Kavala, serving the regional units of Kavala and Drama. It will fall under the administrative authority of the Eastern Macedonia & Thrace Forensic Division, headquartered in Gümülcine.
Forensic Service in Polygyros (early 2026)
A new service will operate at least twice weekly during winter and daily during summer. It will serve Halkidiki and be administratively attached to the Central Macedonia Forensic Division in Selanik.
Additionally, a clinical-cases medical office will operate in Nea Moudania.
Forensic Service in Chalkida (since 1 November 2025)
The Chalkida unit, operating twice weekly, serves the regional units of Evia and Viotia. It is under the Forensic Division of Central Greece, based in Lamia.
Specialized Training Initiative (starting 18 December 2025)
With funding from HealAcademy, a new two-day training cycle for forensic specialists will begin, focusing on child abuse and psychological support for citizens seeking forensic evaluation.
Minister’s Statement
Minister Floridis emphasized that the reform establishes a clear operational backbone for forensic services:
“We created a central directorate within the ministry and established regional directorates and departments. Everyone now knows where they belong and what their responsibilities are. The law dictates a standardized procedure for issuing forensic reports—what elements must be included—so we no longer face situations in court where a forensic doctor is questioned about missing information and responds that nothing required it. Now it is required.”
He also noted the creation of a three-member re-evaluation committee, designed to address cases in which initial forensic reports raised scientific doubts but lacked a formal mechanism for timely and credible reassessment:
“Reports that raised serious concerns can now be re-examined both scientifically and in a manner acceptable to the criminal justice process.”
