Coroners Act

Question 1

Role of the Coroner

Answer 1

• Judicial Officer
• The coroner evaluates evidence obtained about the death and determines :
• That a person has died
• Their identity
• When and where the person died
• Causes of death
• Circumstances of Death

Comments or recommendations by the coroner to reduce the chance of death occurring in a similar circumstances in future.

Question 2

Requirement to Report Sudden Deaths to Coroner.

Section 15

Answer 2

-Police have a duty to report the death immediately to the Coroner.
-This is done by phoning the Coroner’s National Initial Investigation Office which is 24/7
-Most communication will be done through a NIIO staff member
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Question 3

Purpose of post-mortem examinations

Answer 3

• Examination of a person’s body to determine the cause of death.
• Post mortem is authorised by the coroner who directs a pathologist to perform the examination.
• The coroner decides what level of post mortem should occur.
• Every member of the immediate family has the right to object a post mortem uses the death appears to have been the result of a crime where legislation requires a post mortem.

Question 4

Purpose of a coronial inquiry and what form they may take

Answer 4

Three pathways:

• Conclude an investigation without opening an inquiry
• Open and conduct an inquiry and conclude that inquiry without proceeding to a formal court hearing.
• Open and conduct and as part of that conduct a formal hearing on the coroners court called an Inquest.

Question 5

Circumstances of an Inquest