OF16 Sudden Death, Coroners Act, Missing Persons

Question 1

Deaths that must be reported are…

Answer 1

S - Suicide

C - Cause unknown or no Doctor’s certificate issued

U - Unnatural or violent death

M - Medical/surgical/dental procedure

B - Birth or deaths that appear to be a result of pregnancy/giving birth

I - Institutional deaths (e.g. prisons, psychiatric hospitals, police custody)

E - Enactment requires the holding of an inquest

Question 2

When must an inquest be held?

Answer 2

The Coroner must hold an inquiry into the following deaths:

• suicide
• institutional deaths
• any death in which the Coroner is not satisfied that the cause or circumstances of death have been clearly established

(S)(C)UMB(I)E

Question 3

Who must SCUMBIE deaths be reported to and how?

Answer 3

Must be reported to the Coroner by phoning the Coroner’s National Investigation Office (NIIO).

Question 4

When must SCUMBIE deaths be reported by Police?

Answer 4

Immediately.

There are NIIO staff on 24/7 to take these calls.

Question 5

Who authorises a post-mortem and who carries out the post-mortem?

Answer 5

Coroner authorises it and then directs a Pathologist to carry it out

Question 6

Who has authority over who is present during a post-mortem?

Answer 6

Coroner

Question 7

The Coroner opens and conducts an inquiry (including any related inquest) what purposes?

Answer 7

Question 8

What is a missing person?

Answer 8

RUF

Reported - Unknown whereabouts - Fears held for their welfare/safety

Question 9

Categories of missing persons

Answer 9

VILM

Voluntary - runaways, escaping debt, unaware that family are concerned

Involuntary - kidnapping, abductions, people with dementia

Lost due to an event - lost at sea, bush etc.

Missing overseas - overseas missing

Question 10

What type of missing persons do SAR (Search and Rescue) typically help in finding?

Answer 10

Category of lost

Question 11

When deciding on action of a missing person what must you consider?

Answer 11

ZAC

Zone of safety (location) - unable to adapt to environmental changes due to mental/physical condition

Age - determines urgency of action i.e. very young or old

Circumstances - SUD being suspicious, unusual and dangerous

Question 12

What are the ongoing action milestones for chasing up on missing persons?

Answer 12

3 days

14 days

30 days

90 days

1 year