OF16 - CORONERS ACT 2006

Question 1

Describe the circumstances in which an inquest must be held

Answer 1

Coroner MUST hold an inquest into;

• Suicides
• Institutional deaths
• any death where cause/circumstances have not been clearly established

Question 2

Inquest Purpose;

Answer 2

What is established:
- the FACT a person has dies = Verification of Death form

• the IDENTITY of deceased = Deceased Person ID form
• the CAUSE of death = Pathologists report
• WHERE and WHEN the death occured = Initial Police report for Coroner (POL47 form)
• the CIRCUMSTANCES of the death = Statements/reports/evidence

Question 3

Deaths that MUST be reported to the Coroner

Answer 3

Suicide
Cause unknown/no DR certificate
Unnatural or violent death
Medical/Surgical/Dental op incl anesthetic/medicine 
Birth death
Institutional death Prison/Police etc
Enactment law dictates reporting

Question 4

What is the purpose of a post-mortem?

Answer 4

The Coroner may authorise post-mortem to establish cause of death.

Pathologist carries out examination and reports findings to the Coroner.

Police may be in attendance if required for evidential purposes.

Question 5

Coronial inquest

Answer 5

Police must report death immediately to Coroner (phone NIIO).

NIIO co0ordinates the first part of investigation.