OF16: Coroner’s Act & Sudden Death

Question 1

Function a of a coroner (1)

Answer 1

Holds a position equal to a district court judge.

Ensures an investigation into the causes and circumstances of a death carried out.

……

Question 2

Functions of a coroner (2)

Answer 2

Hears evidence to establish identity and facts of the death.

May make comment for public consumption to prevent an incident re occurring.

May recommend further enquiry by an investigation.

Question 3

What does a Verification of death form indicate?

Answer 3

The fact that a person has died

Question 4

Identifying the deceased?

Answer 4

Deceased person identification form.

If can’t identify get a family member.

Question 5

What does a pathologist report identify?

Answer 5

The cause of death

Question 6

What is included in the initial police report for the coroner?

Answer 6

Report Where and when the death occurred as soon as.

Question 7

The circumstances of the death

Answer 7

Statements or other reports/evidence.

Interviews.

Question 8

5 areas on why require an Inquest

Answer 8

Fact, identity, cause, where, when, circumstances

Question 9

Which parts of SCUMBIE Must hold an inquest?

Answer 9

Suicide - know why?

any institutional deaths. - mental hospital, jail.

any death where the cause or circumstances of death have not been clearly established.

Question 10

What does the acronym SCUMBIE mean? Must report these deaths to coroner

Answer 10

Suicide, cause unknown - still under enquiry, unnatural/violent - car or normal accidents, medical - death unexpected, birth - during child birth, institutional - prison/mental hospital , enactment - law dictates reporting

Question 11

What is a Post mortem?

Answer 11

Examination to establish cause of death.

Once authorised by coroner.

Pathologist Carry out the examination and reports findings to coroner.

Police may be in attendance of required for evidential purposes.

Family can refuse.

Question 12

What is the procedure for examining body at scene? Sudden death)

Answer 12

Position.

factors appearing to have contributed to death.

preserve evidence, obtain full details from witnesses.

safe guard deceaseds property.

Any suspicious evidence call CIB, always inform supervisor.

Question 13

If the death is Suspicious what must we do?

Answer 13

Freeze the scene and seek further assistance from sergeant immediately. Do not touch anything!

Question 14

Who establishes death?

Answer 14

A doctor or a nurse or an ambulance officer are authorised by the Chief
Coroner to issue a Verification of Death declaration. So call one of these guys to attend scene.

Question 15

What is a verification of death form?

Answer 15

A written document declaring that a deceased person is dead. It is signed by doc, nurse, ambulance officer

Question 16

What should we look out for when Removing the body?

Answer 16

No suspicious circumstances, seek guidance from Serge about moving body. Self conflicted injury or accident best not to let fam, friends view body.

Question 17

Who to inform when someone dies?

Answer 17

Relatives (asap), coroner /NIIO (by phone), station (comms)

Question 18

Who is the NIIO?

Answer 18

Responsible for arranging the attendance of a funeral director to transport the body.

Question 19

Mortuary procedures

Initial examination procedures?

Answer 19

Gloves, body on trolley, beware of injuries (contamination), remove clothing (witness) closely examine clothing (evidence)

Question 20

How should you treat Injuries during a body examination at the scene?

Answer 20

Examine body carefully for injuries / marks etc.

Carefully record their extent and position.

Clean the body of blood and other body secretions

Check first, people may not want body undisturbed.

Question 21

What are the steps when you attend a Sudden death? (suspected)

Answer 21

First aid.

initial scene examination.

Verify death.

medical certificate as to cause of death.

identity, remove deceased to mortuary.

Question 22

What things do we need to consider when applying First aid?

Answer 22

First aid what the person needs without contaminating anything.

Brief ambulance or medical practitioner.

Question 23

Who issues a Medical certificate for a sudden death patient?

Answer 23

Not any doctor… only a Doctor who has been treating the patient of deceased can issue that certificate.

Question 24

Identification of deceased (2)

Answer 24

If cannot be identified, the ID will have to be verified by forensic means.

Whatever method is used the coroner will require a completed deceased person ID form.

Question 25

National initial investigation office (NIIO) - coroner number

Answer 25

0800266800

Question 26

Informing coroner and remove deceased

Answer 26

Once NIIO is informed they have to arrange to have a funeral director attend the place of death to uplift deceased.

Allow family time to grieve and say their good byes

Question 27

Labelling body

Answer 27

Police are responsible for the labelling of the deceased.
Ensure that a photograph of the completed label is included in the photographs included in your 1
sudden death file.
Ensure that the label details are recorded correctly on the Pol47

Question 28

Deceased property

Answer 28

Staff must itemise property as either personal or exhibits. Should be removed and returned to family

Question 29

Release of deceased

Answer 29

Police must report to CORONER, they then have right to custody of body.

NOK can request for body to be released