Professor Roger Byard has conducted much original research into many aspects of forensic pathology, focussing particularly on accidental and sudden death. He has been very active on community and government committees developing recommendations and proposing policy changes to deal with tragic cases of sudden unexpected death, and in media campaigns and public lectures. He has also initiated an approach to forensic pathology practice called ‘preventive pathology’ that focuses on public health outcomes and facilitates dissemination of this information to professional colleagues and the community. He has a major interest in developing the field of paediatric forensic pathology nationally and internationally.