4. Sudden Death Flashcards
Coroner definition:
Independent judicial officers who sit in the coroners court
Overarching purpose of Coroners:
To prevent avoidable deaths
What does the Coroner evaluate?
- That a person has died
- Identity
- When and Where
- Cause
- Circumstances
- Whether any comments or recommendations should be made to reduce the chance of the death happening again
5W’s and H
Police role in Sudden Death:
To act as Coroners agent to investigate death and gather evidence
- Scene exam
- ID deceased
- Investigate circumstances
Coroners role in relation to a death: Section 4(1)
- Receive report of death from Police
- Decide whether to direct a post mortem
- Authorise the release of the body
- Decide whether to open an inquiry
Deaths that must be reported to Coroner by Police:
- No known cause
- Suicide
- Unnatural or violent
- No doctor sign off
- Occurred during medical, surgical or dental treatment
- Occurred during birth or result of pregnancy
- In official custody or care
Role of National Initial Investigation Office (NIIO):
- Manage cases from TOD till body is returned to family
- Engage body transport to mortuary
- Keep families informed
- Be the conduit and contact when Police leave scene
3 pathways for responsible Coroner:
1) Conduct investigation without opening an inquiry
2) Open and conduct inquiry without formal hearing
3) Open and conduct inquiry and conduct formal hearing in Coroners Court (Inquest)
Who can verify death?
- Registered Medical Practitioner
- Nurse
- Registered midwife
- Intensive care paramedic
- Paramedic
- Emergency medical technician
Different forms of ID:
1) Visual
2) Fingerprints
3) Odontology (dental)
4) Comparison ID process (DVI)
5) DNA
What are the visual ID questions?
“Do you identify this person?”
“Have you any doubt?”
“What was their address?”
“How long have you known the deceased?”
What to do if family refuse to let Police take the body?
Police can remove a body by force without warrant
Warrant to remove deceased Section 128.
What must Police do if body is removed from someones property and they don’t know?
Take all reasonable steps to inform them
Must be within 5 days.
In person or in writing
What if a sudden death is signed off by a doctor?
Immediate family can make arrangements for the body to be moved to a funeral home.
POL 47 still to be completed.
What significant matters must the Coroner notify the family of?
- that a post mortem is to be performed
- the opening of an inquiry
- the date, time and place of inquest
- When inquiry has been finished
