Forensic science in Finland started from a modest one-man laboratory with a light microscope in association with the Helsinki police department in 1908. By 1955, it had developed into a national agency, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), as an integral part of the national police organization. Presently, the NBI Forensic Laboratory, funded by the Police within the state budget, provides expert services free of charge to the authorities in over 20 forensic disciplines in modern, accredited laboratories. The first regulations concerning medicolegal investigation of deaths were introduced during the Swedish reign in the 18th century. Forensic medicine as a medical specialty has existed since 1955, and the specific training in forensic pathology is provided by the University Departments of Forensic Medicine. Since 2010, the National Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) is the competent authority in charge of organizing the medicolegal services in Finland. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has the main supervisory role and provides funding for medicolegal services from the state budget. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.