OF16:Coroners Act & Sudden Death Flashcards
1
Q
What or who is a Coroner?
A
Position equivalent to a district court judge, holds inquests (investigations) into causes and circumstances of death
2
Q
An inquest is not held to determine blame or apply penalties, what does the Coroner do?
A
- hears the evidence, establishing the identity of deceased & facts of death
- Make’s comments for public consumption to prevent reoccurrences of the incident
- Recommends any further inquiries required
3
Q
What are the purposes of an Inquest?
A
To establish…
- FACT person has died
- IDENTITY of the deceased
- CAUSE of death
- WHERE, WHEN the death occured
- CIRCUMSTANCES of the death
4
Q
How are the purposes for an inquest documented?
A
FACT - Verification of death IDENTITY - Deceased person ID Form CAUSE - Pathologists Report WHERE, WHEN - POL47 CIRCUMSTANCES - Statements or other reports / evidence
5
Q
When must an inquest be held?
A
Any death where the cause or circumstances have not been clearly established
6
Q
Which deaths must be reported (SCUMBIE)?
A
- Suicide, self-explanatory
- Cause unknown, still under investigation
- Unnatural/Violent, Accidents / Crashes
- Medical, Procedure and death unexpected
- Birth, during childbirth
- Institutional, Police/Prison cell, institutional custody
- Enactment, law dictates death is reported
7
Q
Who is authorised to issue a Verification of Death Certificate?
A
Doctor, Nurse, Ambulance Officer
