Ethics & Law

Question 1

SUMMARY CARD:

Who is a coroner?

Answer 1

An independent judicial officer appointed by local council (usually legal background but familiar with medical terminology)

The primary duty of a coroner is to investigate deaths and the circumstances surrounding them.

They instruct a doctor / pathologist to carry out an autopsy or examination to determine the cause of death and gather other crucial information, such as:

• Identity: Who died?
• Timing: When did they die?
• Location: Where did they die?
• Cause: How did they die?

Question 2

SUMMARY CARD:

What type of cases MUST be reported to the coroner?

Answer 2

• Unknown cause of death
• The deceased has not been seen by the certifying doctor either after death or within the 14 days of death
• The death was violent, unnatural, or suspicious including any suspicion of medical negligence
• The death may be due to an accident whenever the accident occurred, i.e. if you develop a health condition as a result of an accident and die years later from the complication of that accident then you have to be seen by a Coroner.
• The death may be due to neglect by self or others e.g. neglect in a care home or drug use which is self-neglect
• The death may be due to an industrial disease or due to the deceased persons employment. E.g. if you die at work, you need to be referred to a Coroner or if you die of diseases related to the work you do e.g. a mesothelioma
• The death is due to an abortion (doesn’t happen much anymore)
• The death occurred during an operation or before recovery from the effects of an anaesthetic
• The death is may be due to a suicide (only a Coroner can determine if you’ve died from suicide)
• The death occurred during or shortly after detention in police or prison custody or while detained under the Mental Health Act
• The death may be related to poisoning
• The death occurred during or within 12 months of pregnancy

NOTE: if in doubt, ring the coroner for guidance