Introduction & the UK coroner system

Question 1

History of coroner system

Answer 1

Established in
1194

Started at a
medieval tax
gatherer

Early duties
involved anything
that could bring
money to the crown

Question 2

Coroners Act

Answer 2

1887

Question 3

Coroners and Justice Act

Answer 3

2009

Question 4

Dr Shipman

Answer 4

Former GP who murdered approx. 250 victims mostly elderly woman in good health.

Question 5

What are coroners?

Answer 5

Coroners are independent judicial office holders. Today the role of the Coroner is to investigate
deaths if they have reason to suspect that;
* The death was violent or unnatural; or
* The cause of death is unknown; or
* The deceased died while in state detention.

Question 6

How many coroners are there?

Answer 6

453: 75 senior coroners, 25 area coroners and 353 assistant coroners

Question 7

What do corners investigate?

Answer 7

Who died, where and when did they die and how did they come by their death.

Question 8

Do coroners carry out post-mortem examinations?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

Purpose of medical examiners

Answer 9

Provide greater safeguards for the public by ensuring independent scrutiny of all non-coronial deaths

Ensure the appropriate direction of deaths to the coroner

Provide a better service for the bereaved and an opportunity for them to raise any concerns to a doctor not involved in the care of the deceased

Improve the quality of death certification

Improve the quality of mortality data.

Question 10

Role of forensic pathologist

Answer 10

Cause of death

Mechanism of death

Manner of death