0F16 - The Coroners Act

Question 1

What is the purpose of a post mortem examination? Who authorizes it and who performs them?

Answer 1

• To determine the cause of death
• Coroner authorises
• Pathologist performs them.

Question 2

When must the Coroner hold an inquest?

Answer 2

Following:

• Suicide
• any institutional deaths
• any death in which the coroner is not satisfied that the cause or circumstances of death have been clearly established.

Question 3

Deaths that must be reported are :

Answer 3

S- Suicide
C- cause unknown or no Doc cert issued
U- Unnatural/violent death
M-Medical or surgical or dental operation or procedure
B-Birth deaths or deaths that appear to be the result of pregnancy or giving birth.
I- Institutional deaths- in custody, prison, childrens home etc.
E- Enactment requires the holding of an inquest.
(Some acts require it be done- drug addition act, armed forces etc.)

Question 4

What are the three purposes of coronial inquest?

Answer 4

1) What established
2) Make recommendations or comments that may if drawn to public attention reduce the chance of the occurrence in other deaths in circumstances similar.
3) determine whether public interest would be served by the death being investigated by other authorities and to refer the death to other authorities if satisfied that the public interest would be served by them investigating.

Question 5

What is the first purpose of inquest about ?

What established and how documented

Answer 5

1) The fact the person has died / verification of death (Cor31)
2) The identity of the deceased / Deceased person Id form(POL 265A)
3) The cause of death (Pathologists report)
4) Where and when the death occurred / POL47- (Initial report for the coroner)
5) The circumstances of the death / Statements, Job sheets, Depositions.

Question 6

Outline of process to report sudden deaths

Answer 6

See Photo in power point