2.2 Sudden Death Policy & Procedures

Question 1

What is the purpose of a coroner’s inquiry?

Answer 1

To establish that a person has died, the identity of the person, the cause of death and when/where they died

Question 2

What deaths must be reported to a coroner?

Answer 2

• No known cause, suicide, unnatural or violent death
• No doctor certificate has been given
• Death during medical, surgical or dental treatment
• Death during birth
• Death in custody

Question 3

When does a person who finds a body not have to report it to Police?

Answer 3

If it is already known to Police or if it will be reported to Police

Question 4

When must Police report a death to a coroner?

Answer 4

The death must be reported immediately to the duty coroner.

Question 5

Who is qualified to verify death?

Answer 5

• Registered medical practitioner
• Nurse
• Registered midwife
• Intensive care paramedice
• Paramedic
• Emergency medical technician

Question 6

What may indicate a death is caused by a criminal act?

Answer 6

• No apparent cause
• Poisoning but no motive for suicide
• A body in a burned building
• Signs of injury that are inconsistent with the accident
• Apparent suicide in an unusual position

Question 7

If there are no suspicious circumstances about a death, the immediate family can make arrangements to have the body removed if

Answer 7

The deceased’s doctor has been located and issued a certificate as to the cause of death AND

It is not a coroner’s matter

Question 8

What do you do if the family do not allow a body or evidence to be removed?

Answer 8

Remove the body with a Search Warrant

Seize evidence without warrant (S20)

Question 9

When seizing evidence in relation to a death, the evidence must be

Answer 9

• On or in the immediate vicinity of the body and relevant to the post-mortem of the body
• Delivered to the coroner.

Notify the family within 5 working days of the items that were seized.

Question 10

Police’s responsibility to inform immediate family of death

Answer 10

When reporting to the coroner is not required, Police must inform the deceased’s immediate family as soon as the deceased’s identity is confirmed.

For estranged families, Police should consider notifying all parties.

Question 11

Deaths of prisoners in Police Custody. Actions of supervisor are

Answer 11

1) Immediately freeze the scene and ensure evidence including the charge sheet is preserved
2) Notify CIB. Establish and initiate any enquiry
3) Notify the district commander immediately