Pathologists were part of the inquest process in Queensland from the late nineteenth century. The early pathologist performed a number of medical roles that today would come under specialist medical services such a histology, toxicology and microbiology. Forensic pathology was important in the detection of infectious disease-related deaths, many of which had public health consequences. Yet successive government pathologists protested over the appalling hygienic conditions and lack of facilities they endured while working at the city morgue. Their protests were ignored until two controversial incidents were instrumental in motivating the government to erect the Institute of Forensic Pathology (IFP) that opened in 1961.