DECEASED & CORONERS Flashcards
Question 1: You attend the scene of a deceased elderly person at the request of the
supervisor. The supervisor tells you the police found an elderly male deceased on the bed at
the premises. No relative is present and no inquiries have been commenced. Upon further
investigation you establish there are no suspicious circumstances. For non-suspicious
circumstances police have certain actions and responsibilities for coronial matters.
What are the actions and responsibilities?
- Ascertain if the person is deceased, any possibility of life, apply resuscitation
- Take all possible steps to preserve life
- Make enquiries to find family or friends e.g. talk to neighbour, go through documents, phone,
conduct checks on COPS - Make enquiries to find treating doctor - look for documents in the premises or call local doctors
surgeries in the area - Search premises for identification documents
- Notify crime scene to attend
- If contact is made with family, ask details such as last seen alive, any medical conditions etc.
- Make contact with their treating doctor and ascertain whether a certificate can be issued
- If yes - body is released to funeral directors
- If no - needs to go to the coroner
- Obtain certificate of life extinct
- Obtain identification statement where possible
- Complete search of deceased person form
- Records details in notebook of: details, health problems, premises, the scene
- Complete a COPS entry and a P79A form ASAP
- Arrange for NOK notification and death message
Question 2: You are an investigator on duty when a death is reported. What categories of
deaths require a Mandatory Notification to the coroner?
- Violent or unnatural
- Not seen medical practitioner (repealed)
- Sudden where cause is unknown
- In/out of mental health facility
- Not expected outcome of medical procedure
- Suspicious
Question 3: You attend a premises in response to a request from a mobile supervisor in
relation to a deceased person. On arrival you speak with a man who states that he arrived
at the premises to take his brother to a local drug clinic but, on entering the bedroom, he
had found his brother lying on the bed, apparently deceased. You go inside the premises,
accompanied by the brother, and go to the bedroom in which the deceased is located. You
recognise him as a known drug addict who appears to have died from an accidental
overdose
What procedure would you now follow?
- Don’t assume it is accidental
- Secure the scene and set up a crime scene - warrant v consent
- Check the body and surroundings for any weapons or prohibited drugs
- Call supervisor and detectives
- Arrange for crime scene to attend location
- Seize any drugs at the location
- Photograph any drug paraphernalia at the location
- Obtain details from brother about history of the deceased and last seen alive
- Obtain a life extinct certificate
- Obtain an identification statement
- Complete a search of deceased person form
- Obtain all information needed for P79A
- Arrange for government contracts to attend and transport body
